Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the proposed new Garda sex offences unit; the length and form of training that gardaí will receive for working with victims and survivors of sexual offences; the number of gardaí that will be attached to this unit; the location of this new unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14625/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the new Sexual Crime Management Unit operates within the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit, and is located at Harcourt Square, Dublin 2, under the direction of D/Chief Superintendent, National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The unit will evaluate and monitor, in conjunction with investigating members and local senior management, a number of investigations each year of child neglect, child sexual abuse and other selected sexual offences. This approach is designed to ensure that such investigations are receiving the appropriate attention and being brought to a prompt conclusion in accordance with best practice in investigation methodology.

The unit will also be focused on assisting and advising Gardaí in the investigation of such crimes and in promoting best investigative practice in line with international standards. The unit will also maintain a record of all complaints of clerical sexual abuse and will interact as appropriate with contact points in relevant agencies in relation to complaints of sexual abuse made to An Garda Síochána.

The allocation of policing resources throughout the country, including personnel, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda Officers. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed and this ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public. I am informed that personnel allocated to the new Unit will be qualified in interviewing suspects and injured parties and will undergo training in Specialist Victim Interviewing techniques and the assessment and management of Sex Offenders. Training of the members attached to the Unit will be kept under constant review as will the numbers of personnel allocated to the unit.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the group within his Department examining the arrangements in place for management of sex offenders; the position regarding their work and any recommendations they have made so far; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware I published a detailed Discussion Document on the management of convicted sex offenders in January 2009. This document was prepared by a High Level Group in my Department, involving the Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service, which examined the current arrangements in place for the management of sex offenders with a view to strengthening inter-agency cooperation and further enhancing public protection and safety. Their remit included a review of the procedures and legislation relating to the assessment, monitoring and supervision of convicted sex offenders.

The Discussion Document was published on my Department's website and interested organisations and individuals were invited to make submissions by end of April, 2009. I also facilitated informed debate at a Discussion Forum organised by my Department in March.

The work of the group is ongoing and takes into account the submissions received and the feedback from the Discussion Forum.

I should also say that in April, 2009 I formally announced a new policy on the management of sex offenders in prison which had commenced earlier in the year. The policy is aimed at bringing about changes in offenders' lives that reduce risk of re-offending and enhance public protection. The policy document is available for the Deputy to read on the website of the Irish Prison Service (www.irishprisons.ie).

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding his review of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the details of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The review of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 is continuing as part of a general review of the criminal laws governing sexual offences, in particular the laws protecting children and other vulnerable persons against sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. The review includes consideration of the recommendations in the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection and the Second Interim Report of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. It also takes account of the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse and the recently published draft Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on combating the sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and child pornography repealing Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA.

When the review is completed, I hope to be in a position to seek Government approval for my proposals later this year.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of dedicated interview suites for victims of sexual offences throughout the State. [14631/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that, given the need for sensitivity and confidentiality surrounding sexual crimes, there is a clear advantage from an investigative perspective both for An Garda Síochána and victims of such crimes in conducting interviews away from Garda stations.

Dedicated victim interview suites have been established in six strategic locations throughout the country and are used by An Garda Síochána to take video recordings of statements from victims of sexual crime. The suites are not attached to Garda Stations, and it would not be appropriate for reasons of confidentiality to give precise details of their locations. Work is underway on the establishment of two further interview suites.