Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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719. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that were convicted under section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in 2020; the number to receive a suspended sentence and a term of imprisonment up to one year; the term of imprisonment between one and two, two and five, five and seven and seven and ten years; the sentences imposed on those who received prison terms of ten years and more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9800/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (as amended) is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Health.

In regards to the information requested of the number of persons convicted under Section 15A of the Act (as inserted by the Criminal Justice Act 1999), "Offence relating to possession of drugs with value of €13,000", I have been advised by the Courts Service that the figures for 2020 are currently unavailable. The Courts Service is presently compiling their Annual Report for 2020 and the figures will be available later this year on publication of same.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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720. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons convicted of a sexual offence and jailed in 2020; and the number who received prison terms less than one year, between one and two years, between two and three years, between three and five years, between five and seven years, between five and seven years and over ten years and the offence committed, respectively. [9801/21]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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721. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who are currently imprisoned due to being convicted of a sexual offence; the number who are due for release in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9802/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 720 and 721 together.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of prisoners committed for a sexual offence in 2020 broken down by sentence length has been received from the Irish Prison Service and is provided in the table below.

I am advised that as of 31^stJanuary 2021, there were 418 prisoners sentenced for a sexual offence in custody.Of those 418 prisoners, 106 are due to be released in 2021, 76 are due to be released in 2022 and 72 are due to be released in 2023.