Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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373. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress on establishing the parole board on an legally independent basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24808/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that proposals are currently being prepared to establish a Parole Board on a statutory footing.

In September 2014 I published the report of the Penal Policy Review Group which was tasked with carrying out a strategic review of penal policy. As an initial step, the Government agreed in principle in November 2014 to proceed with the implementation of a number of key recommendations, including the bringing forward of legislative proposals to establish a Parole Board on a statutory footing.

Work is underway on the preparation of a General Scheme and will be submitted to Government for consideration in due course.