Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and I reassure him that this is an absolute priority for me. This is why I have included it in my own list of priorities as Minister for Justice. While I cannot account for what may have happened last year or what stage it was at last year, a number of new things have happened in recent months with the establishment of the project board, which is driving forward the implementation. The Deputy will accept there are a number of measures that need to be put in place for this to be enacted and that we cannot progress without those measures in place. With the significant additional funding the current budget for the parole board is in the region of €600,000 per annum. The additional funding next year of €1.3 million will bring a fully operational annual budget of almost €2 million per year, which is new also. I understand this is perhaps taking a little bit longer than people would think, but when I say 2021 I am not saying 31 December 2021. My objective is to get this done as early as we can. I have also reappointed some of the current sitting board members up to June of next year to ensure that when we cross over, and if there is any cross over, that there is continuity in the service provided.

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