Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the rate of re-offending in criminal matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The results of the first major study of prisoner re-offending was published in December, 2006 by the UCD Institute of Criminology. The study, which received the full co-operation of the Irish Prison Service, was based on 19,955 prisoner releases that took place between 1 January, 2001, and 30 November, 2004.

The study found that 27.4% of released prisoners were serving a new prison sentence within one year. This rose to 39.2% after two years, 45.1% after three years, and 49.2% after four years. Recidivism was highest amongst property offenders and lowest for sex offenders.

The findings are in line with international experience, and I understand that they may in fact be considered to fall in the mid to lower range internationally. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made by my Department to continue to address and reduce the rate of recidivism.