2279. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there will be an increase in funding for the bail supervision scheme in the Budget 2027; if this service will be rolled out to additional counties; if so, the counties in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57045/26]

The Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) offers courts an alternative option to detaining a young person who comes before them. It provides for the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision. By reducing the need for remand places, this also provides an opportunity to focus on developing successful community resources designed to prevent young people being detained in a youth justice facility and reduce the risk of them going further down the path of criminality.

On 1 January 2026, governance for the Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) transferred from my Department to the Probation Service. This transition forms part of a broader effort to ensure the ongoing, effective management of children subject to bail conditions, which is integral to the delivery of youth justice services. The Probation Service recognises the significant value the scheme has, both in providing the judiciary with options to strengthen confidence in use of bail for children; but also in ensuring that detention is only used as a last resort.

An annual budget of €2.1 million has been allocated to the scheme for 2026.

Over the next six months, the Probation Service will conduct a review of BSS provision, with considerations around national expansion, budget requirements and delivery/service model being explored.