Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to implement electronic tagging for convicted sex offenders; the timing of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13059/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 36 on 18 May 2011, following the completion of the pilot project which tested the use of electronic monitoring technology in this jurisdiction, a comprehensive review of its viability in the management of offenders along with a cost benefit analysis is underway. This process will be completed by the end of September. In addition, I expect to bring legislative proposals to amend the Sex Offenders Act 2001 to Government in the coming months. Measures being considered in this context include the electronic monitoring of sex offenders in specific circumstances.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to improve the successful prosecution rates for rape. [13060/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The criminal law treats the offence of rape extremely seriously. A person convicted of rape is liable to imprisonment for life. An Garda Síochána is acutely aware of the special care and attention which complaints of rape require because of the vulnerable circumstances in which victims find themselves and attaches great importance to combining professionalism with sensitivity and compassion in the investigation of rape.

In 2010 An Garda Síochána published a new comprehensive policy document on the investigation of sexual crime, crimes against children and child welfare, which is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie. The fundamental principle underpinning the policy is the vindication of the rights of victims and all those with whom members of the Force come in contact and the protection of the public by the thorough and professional investigation of this form of crime. The functions of the Garda Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit include the promotion of best practice within An Garda Síochána in the investigation of rape and other sexual crime. The Unit also liaises with relevant State bodies and voluntary groups, taking a multi-agency approach to tackling these crimes and their causes. Initiatives introduced by An Garda Síochána also include a crime training facility which trains senior investigating officers in the investigation of such offences.

The National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010-2014, contains a specific action to minimise attrition levels in sexual violence cases. Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, which is an Executive Office within my Department, led a committee which considered the attrition problem. The committee finalised its work in February, 2011 and made a number of recommendations on attrition in sexual violence cases which are being pursued.