Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he plans to commence all sections of the Parole Act 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Parole Act 2019 provides for the establishment of an independent, statutory Parole Board, which will make decisions in relation to parole for all eligible prisoners.

There are a number of practical steps required before it will be possible to commence the Act and establish of the Parole Board, for example selection of Board members, the appointment of a Chief Executive and staff, putting in place the funding for the new Board, and various other matters, including premises for the new enlarged organisation etc.

My Department is committed to seeing the new Parole Board up and running and soon as is practically possible. The legislation to establish the new Board is complex and a significant amount of planning is taking place to allow for its establishment. The project to do this is underway and pending establishment of the new Board, the existing expert Parole Board is continuing with its work.