35 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probation officers currently attached to the probation and welfare service; the number of persons referred by the courts to the service for each of the years from 1994 to 1996 and to date in 1997; the average cost of dealing with each case in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21193/97]

47 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probation officers currently attached to the probation and welfare service; the number of persons referred by the courts to the service for each of the years from 1994 to 1996 and to date in 1997; the average cost of dealing with each case in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21195/97]

69 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probation officers currently attached to the probation and welfare service; the number of persons referred by the courts to the service for each of the years from 1994 to 1996 and to date in 1997; the average cost of dealing with each case in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/97]

83 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probation officers currently attached to the probation and welfare service; the number of persons referred by the courts to the service for each of the years from 1994 to 1996 and to date in 1997; the average cost of dealing with each case in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21194/97]

110 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probation officers currently attached to the probation and welfare service; the number of persons referred by the courts to the service for each of the years from 1994 to 1996 and to date in 1997; the average cost of dealing with each case in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21197/97]

116 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probation officers currently attached to the probation and welfare service; the number of persons referred by the courts to the service for each of the years from 1994 to 1996 and to date in 1997; the average cost of dealing with each case in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21198/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 47, 69, 83, 110 and 116 together.

At present, there are 192 probation and welfare officers. The breakdown is as follows: one principal probation and welfare officer; seven assistant principal probation and welfare officers; 36.5 senior probation and welfare officers; 147.5 probation and welfare officers.

The number of persons referred by the courts for each year from 1994-96, and to date in 1997, is as follows: