Written answers

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Crime Prevention

9:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has carried out studies into the operation of electronic monitoring of offenders; if he will provide detailed analysis of costs, advances in technology, and the offender cohort most suitable and other research that his Department has carried out on this matter; when he envisages such a system being introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2531/09]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I published a comprehensive Discussion Document on the management of convicted sex offenders yesterday which, inter alia, puts forward the possibility of using GPS electronic monitoring technology to monitor higher risk convicted sex offenders for the critical 6 month period when they have completed their sentences and have been released back into the community. Simultaneously I announced the establishment of a Project Board, led by the Probation Service, to look at this specific possibility as well as the implementation of electronic monitoring more generally in this jurisdiction. The Project Board will now begin its examination — including the cost and viability of introducing a pilot phase having regard to the most suitable prisoner cohort — and I expect to receive their recommendations within a nine month timeframe.

I should advise the Deputy that developments in the area of Electronic Monitoring have been kept under review by my Department and the Probation Service. Specifically the Service has kept abreast of developments in the area through its engagement with the CEP, the European Organisation for Probation. This work will feed in to the work of the Project Board. In tandem with the work of the Project Board my Department will examine the legislative implications that may be necessary to supplement the existing enabling provisions in the Criminal Justice Acts of 2006 and 2007 should we proceed to introduce a pilot phase of Electronic Monitoring in this jurisdiction for a specific group of convicted offenders.

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