Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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18. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to broaden the range of convictions that can be considered spent. [26444/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of commitments that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a safe, secure and inclusive Ireland. My Department remains steadfast in its efforts to deliver on the commitments laid out in the Programme over its lifetime.

The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016, provides for certain convictions to become spent once seven years have passed since the date of conviction. We committed, as part of the Programme for Government, to review the Act with the intention of broadening the range of convictions that could be considered spent.

As part of this review process, a public consultation on spent convictions was launched by my Department in October 2020. Bespoke research was also commissioned into how spent convictions are handled internationally.

Based on the outcome of that consultation and the international research, my Department compiled a report aimed at identifying and assessing the possible implications of amending the 2016 Act, so that the fairest possible outcomes can be achieved for the public. This matter and the report remain under consideration currently.

We know that one of the most effective ways of reducing reoffending is securing stable employment post-release and I will soon publish a new Strategy detailing how we will work with employers, big and small, and with social enterprises to address the systemic barriers to employment faced by people with past convictions.