Region part of restorative justice roll-out
Cavan and Monaghan are set to receive a renewed focus under a national expansion of restorative justice programmes, as the Government moves to increase the use of community-based sanctions aimed at cutting reoffending and supporting victims.
The Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, confirmed that counties including Cavan and Monaghan are among five targeted in a recent call for Expressions of Interest, which will result in specialist project workers appointed in Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Sligo and Louth.
The move forms part of a broader national strategy to expand restorative justice and supervised community sanctions as alternatives to custodial sentences.
In April last year, the Minister approved the publication of the Probation Service’s three-year action plan, 'Restoring Relationships: Repairing Harm and Empowering Voices through Restorative Justice', covering the period from 2025 to 2027.
Restorative justice programmes allow victims and offenders - where appropriate and voluntary - to engage in structured processes that acknowledge harm and promote accountability.
The expansion follows a 13% funding increase for the Probation Service secured under Budget 2026. The Probation Service currently delivers restorative justice both directly and through Community Based Organisations operating across 24 counties. It also supports organisations that incorporate restorative practices into their work to promote accountability and repair harm caused by offending behaviour.
Further expansion of the restorative justice programme is planned, with additional Expressions of Interest competitions scheduled for 2026, including in South Tipperary and Waterford.
The development comes as the Department of Justice examines potential legislative changes to strengthen restorative justice options available to the courts. Officials are reviewing matters connected to the Community Sanctions Bill 2014 and considering proposals aimed at broadening the range of restorative justice measures.
Minister O’Callaghan said he looked forward to further discussions at Government level as work progresses on the legislative proposals.