The changed and changing face of the population of Ireland is a key
challenge to delivering an effective service within any public sector organisation. An
effective response to this cultural diversity is crucial for moral, legislative and business
reasons. As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusive practice, the Probation
Service identified cultural diversity as one of its strategic goals for 2009 (‘we will
positively embrace cultural diversity and promote the development of cultural
awareness and good practice throughout the Service’ – Probation Service Strategy/
Work Plan 2009, unpublished). This paper reviews the background against which this
strategic goal was developed, describes the process that informed the road map for
action, tracks the development and outcomes of particular key actions, summarises
the learning, and considers the key messages at a time when society and communities
are being further challenged to respond to ever more complex social, political and
economic changes.