Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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194. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a monitoring of international travel by sex offenders convicted in courts here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19736/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Convicted sex offenders are subject to monitoring and supervision in the community through the Garda Síochána and the Probation Service. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 provides for the monitoring of convicted sex offenders in the community. Under the 2001 Act a person who has been convicted of a sexual offence must notify the Garda Síochána of their name and address within seven days. The 2001 Act also provides for sex offenders orders where the court can prohibit a convicted sex offender from doing things with a view to protecting the public from harm.

Under section 10(3) of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, if a registered sex offender intends to leave the State for a continuous period of 7 days or more, he must notify the Garda Síochána of that intention and, if known, the address of the place outside the State he intends to reside or stay. This provision allows for the relevant authorities in their country of destination to be notified of the details of travel, and enables the ongoing monitoring of the individual in that jurisdiction.

I also intend to bring to Government shortly the General Scheme of a Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill which will strengthen the monitoring of sex offenders in the community, including reducing the notification period from seven to three days.

The Joint Committee on Justice and Equality will examine the question of restrictions on travel for convicted sex offenders, following the referral by the Oireachtas of a Private Members Bill, the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2018, which makes proposals in this regard.