Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if electronic tagging of prisoners on bail has been implemented; if there are plans to expand its usage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11509/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Section 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 inserted a new section 6B (Electronic monitoring of certain persons admitted to bail) into the Bail Act 1997. This section made provision for the introduction of electronic monitoring as a condition of bail. However, due to operational issues regarding electronic monitoring in general, these provisions have not yet been brought into operation.

The proposed Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016, currently awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil, will make provision for electronic monitoring of persons on bail, based on the existing provisions in the Bail Act.

However, unlike the existing provisions, the Bail (Amendment) Bill will provide that electronic monitoring may be imposed as a bail condition only if the prosecution applies to the court for such a condition. This will ensure that the use of electronic monitoring can be targeted at those cases where it is most likely to be effective. In parallel with the progress of the Bill, a working group has been established within my Department to identify how best this provision might be operated, including the categories of offences or offenders most suitable for electronic monitoring and the making of contractual arrangements for the provision of the service.