Low-level offenders will be given the chance to avoid court and possible prison terms under new measures coming into force in the New Year.

Under the scheme set to be approved by the Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, adults who have committed relatively minor crimes will be diverted from the courts.

Instead they will be sent to educational, community and rehabilitation programmes as part of a Community Justice Intervention scheme, to be led by the Probation Service.

The Irish Independent reports offences like public drunkenness, aggressive begging, illegal trading and criminal damage will fall under the scheme.

Figures show repeat offenders are responsible for most crimes, with a quarter of offenders responsible for 75% of property crime.

This strategy will see the gardaí and the Prison and Probation Services identifying prolific offenders and discouraging them from committing further crimes.

Vivian Geiran, director of the Probation Service, explains how it works.

"The real game-changer is the coming together - the commitment to greater coordination and communication and combining our resources" he said.

"Ultimately only offenders can stop re-offending".

"We do...have to use the carrot and the stick; so if people are not cooperating with us while they're on bail, for example, their bail will be opposed in the courts" he added.

Director-General of the Irish Prison Service, Michael Donnellan, says this is about changing the way we deal with offenders.