Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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474. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any arrangements in place to provide for the expunging of minor convictions for persons who wish to take up offers of employment overseas. [22493/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There are no provisions in Irish law for the removal of records from a person's criminal record. However, the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012, which is awaiting Report State in the Dáil, seeks to establish a means by which adults convicted of minor offences will, subject to certain conditions, not be required to disclose those convictions in the likes of job applications etc.

The application of the Bill is, of course, limited to the State as the disclosure requirements for entry to, and employment in, another state are a matter for the relevant authorities of that state.

Section 258 of the Children Act 2001 already provides a ‘non-disclosure’ regime for child offenders after a 3 year conviction–free period. Again, its application is limited to the State.