Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1431.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the reason why victims of crime are not alerted to release dates of those serving custodial sentences in health facilities, rather than prisons.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31033/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Prison Service is responsible for the care all people given a custodial sentence by the Courts for the duration of that sentence. During this time, the victim of the crime for which that person has been convicted is entitled to certain information about the management of the perpetrators sentence, including information about their release. To provide this information directly to victims, the Irish Prison Service operates a Victim Liaison Office (VLO).

Registration with the Prison Service VLO is voluntary and must remain the individual choice of the victims and their family. The reason for the voluntary status of the service is that some victims may not wish to be kept informed by the Prison Service of any development as this could cause upset and distress. Of course, others will choose to the register with the service and can also change their mind and "opt-out" of the service at any time.

Once a victim has registered with the Irish Prison Service VLO, the Victim Liaison Officer will enter into direct contact with them to inform them of any significant development in the management of the perpetrator’s sentence as well as any impending release. Other significant developments could include temporary releases, parole board hearings, prison transfers and expected release dates.

When a custodial sentence has been served and an individual is no longer in the custody of the Irish Prison Service, that service cannot continue to provide information on that person to the victim.

Further information on the Irish Prison Service VLO can be found on and the Victims Charter .

If a victim wishes to receive information about a patient who is detained in a designated centre (under Section 4 or 5 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006) in relation to an offence against them, they can register with the National Forensic Mental Health Service Victim Liaison Officer. More information in relation to that service provided by the HSE is available at