The Gazette 1967/71

criminology, and the various social factors which surround its existence are constantly changing as society itself develops. It follows, therefore, that there can never be a final conclusive report on the measures necessary for the eradication of delinquency. The report also stresses the importance of committing children from deprived homes and juvenile delinquents to separate institutions, whilst giving to both groups the opportunities of good primary, secondary and even University education where the person concerned has the aptitude and enthusiasm to benefit therefrom. No one could criticise such a suggestion without denying the right of the individual to equality of opportunity. Time permits me to mention but one other recommendation in the report, namely that pro vision be made immediately for non-catholic delinquent and destitute children. At present, no institution exists for such children, and in justice it would appear to be an important gap to be bridged in our prison system. While I am on the subject of juvenile delinquency ) would like to refer briefly to one other aspect of it, namely the probation system. The latest report on crime submitted by the Commissioner of the Garda Siochana (which covers the year ended 30th September, 1967) ^hows that 9521 persons were convicted for indictable olTences. Of these, 5395 (over 56 per c^nt) were under 21 years of age. Bearing in mind the fact that the majority of this 56 per cent is given "the benefit of the Probation Act" (of 1907), the importance of the probation service becomes evident. But in fact, there are no more than 8 professional probation officers in the entire country. Furthermore, their activities are confined to the Dublin Metropolitan Area. Of its very nature, the probation service must be adequately staffed so that each probation officer will be able to form deep and meaningful relationships with the individuals committed to his care. Inter Alia, this entails close communication with home, school, employer and soforth, and time is the probation officer's most precious commodity. It is unrealistic and shortsighted to expect a single probation officer to look after several hundred offenders to any worthwhile extent. While the Garda Siochana initiated a "Juvenile Liaison Officer" Scheme in 1963, the 30 or so men and women operating this scheme use prcvcnlativc measures on the whole, and cater only for those under 17 years of age.

By way of comparision, we could measure our probation service against Britain's and take heed of the fact that there are over 3,000 probation officers operating there. Allowing for the difference in population,, it is abundantly clear that our probation service is inexcusably inadequate and urgently in need of radical reform and expansion. Housing Bill 1968 The Bill which has been passed by Dail Eireann but not yet enacted proposes to establish a new system of control of use of habitable houses. Broadly speaking a habitable house means prem ises in the functional area 'of a housing authority which are used, or were last used, as a dwelling. In the case of a habitable house permission is required from the Housing Authority in respect of (a) demolition either in .whoje or in part, other than demolition for, the. purpose of providing an extension prpther improvement or carrying out works of maintenance, and (b) use other than use for human habitation. These clauses are disjunctive so that permission will be required for change of use even if demol ition is not involved. An example'of the operation of the- Act is'the case Of ^.professional man who wishes to convert 'his -private residence into an office or consulting rooms. In such case permission will be required whether or not the change involves physical alteration or demolition or part of the premises. Where however the proposed rrnnge of use relates only to part of a habitable - house permission is not required provided that the house is principally used as a dwelling and that the change of use does not cause to reside else where- a person who immediately before the change was ordinarily resident in the house. The Bill contains provisions for penalties for non-compliance, reinstatement notice enforceable against the owner and persons having an interest in premises, conditions attached to permission for change of user including a condition requiring the occupier to pay certain sums to a housing authority, charging orders by a housing authority in respect of monies due. by an owner or occupier, appeal to the Minister for Local Government against refusal of permission or conditions attached to permission, .