Issues concerning risk to the community and preparation for re-integration are much more complex regarding offenders serving long sentences. For this reason, the interim parole board, which replaced the sentence review group, was established in April 2001 by the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The principal function of the board is to advise the Minister on the administration of longer-term prison sentences, including the type of programmes which should be in place leading to release. The board reviews cases of prisoners sentenced to determinate sentences of eight years or more, but less than 14 years in circumstances where the prisoner has served half of the sentence. In the cases of prisoners sentenced to 14 years or more, including life sentences, the board will review after seven years of the sentence have been served. To be eligible for review a prisoner must have at least 12 months left to serve of his or her sentence at the time of the review.