Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) is likely to have their case heard by the parole board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12993/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The interim parole board, which replaced the sentence review group, was established on an administrative basis in April 2001. The board's principal function is to advise me on the administration of long-term prison sentences.

Generally, the cases of prisoners sentenced to eight years or more, but fewer than 14 years, are reviewed at the half sentence stage. The cases of prisoners sentenced to 14 years or more, including life, are reviewed after seven years have been served. Prisoners serving sentences for certain offences, such as the murder of a member of the Garda Síochána or the Prison Service in the course of their duty, are excluded from the process. The board, by way of recommendation to me, advises of the prisoner's progress to date, the degree to which the prisoner has engaged with the various therapeutic services and how best to proceed with the future administration of the sentence. I consider in full all recommendations put before me by the interim parole board before making the final decision regarding sentence management.

The parole board's secretariat has advised that the case referred to by the Deputy has been scheduled for review for later this month.