Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all sex offenders released during the past five years have been subject to pre-release assessment in order to identify the level of supervision and regulation needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14654/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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145 sex offenders have been released from custody onto probation supervision over the past five years. All of these prisoners were assessed by a Probation Officer either prior to or shortly after release from custody.

In conjunction with An Garda Síochána, and in meeting a commitment of the Public Protection Advisory Group established under the Intergovernmental agreement, the Probation Service is implementing a system for the risk assessment of sex offenders. Combining both static and dynamic risk assessments instruments, an enhanced pre-release assessment will be undertaken on all offenders subject to post release supervision. These instruments, Risk Matrix 2000 (static) and the Stable and Acute 2007 (dynamic), have been used in completing a total of 43 pre-release assessments since 2008.

As of May 2010, these instruments will be used to support the assessment all sex offenders subject to supervision by the Probation Service, including those being released from custody onto supervision.

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).