Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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688. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) with regard to the Parole Act 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45027/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring the necessary arrangements are in place for the Parole Act 2019 to be commenced and the new Parole Board to be established this year.

On 26 December 2020, I announced my plan to begin the full operation of the Parole Board, including the development of a critical path to its establishment, which envisages the new Board being fully operational by July 2021.

The Government has supported this commitment with funding allocated for the Parole Board for 2021 of €1.3 million, which is more than double previous allocations. This substantial increase will allow for the implementation of the model of parole as envisaged under the Parole Board Act.

Since my appointment as Minister for Justice in June 2020, I have put in place a dedicated project team to coordinate, track and drive forward this work across this Department and the Justice Sector. To date, the team has consulted with a number of key stakeholders and an outline project plan has been finalised. This plan maps out a critical path of the various milestones to be achieved from now through to the commencement of the Act and the establishment of the Board in 2021.

In terms of next steps, I expect accommodation for the new Board to be secured in Q1 2021, with the appointment of staff and the CEO will take place soon thereafter. Further to that, a draft Legal Aid Scheme with accompanying legal procedures and guidance should be prepared in Q2 2020. My goal is for the full complement of Board members to be ready and available for appointment by mid-June 2021.

The final stage of the process will be the drafting and signing of the Commencement Order, which I expect to be ready by July 2021. Once this is signed the Board members will be appointed and the new Statutory based Parole Board established.