Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

402. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost in 2014 and to date in 2015, respectively, of the electronic tagging programme; the number of persons on remand and on conditional release, respectively, with an electronic tag; the number of persons on the sex offenders register with an electronic tag; the total number of electronic tags available, and in use, within the justice system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18368/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following a competitive tender in 2014, Chubb Ireland was awarded the contract for the supply of electronic monitoring of prisoners for the Irish Prison Service. The annual cost of the contract will depend on the number of prisoners who are monitored throughout the course of the year. It is expected that the average monthly costs of the contract will be in the region of €9,500 (excluding VAT).

The total cost of the provision of electronic tagging in 2014 was €73,961. For 2015, the total cost as at 30th April 2015 is €34,119.

As I have previously explained, electronic monitoring is mainly used by the Irish Prison Service to monitor prisoners who have been granted temporary release from prison to attend as hospital in-patients. It thus allows for a reduction in staffing costs for hospital escorts. In considering any prisoner for temporary release, under the specified conditions relating to the management of the electronic monitoring process, public safety remains the primary operational consideration. In this context there are 4 offenders on conditional release with an electronic tag.

The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive series of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons. Part 2 of the Act makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements, often referred to as the "sex offenders register".

At present there is no provision in the Act for the electronic tagging of sex offenders. Provisions have been included in the General Scheme of the new Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, which will amend the Sex Offenders Act, to allow for the electronic tagging of sex offenders in certain circumstances. The Bill is scheduled for publication during the current parliamentary session.