Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1568. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a legal requirement to inform a prisoner’s family members when they are being released from prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19434/25]

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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1576. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) who was the victim of a serious offence was not informed that the perpetrator of this crime had been released from prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19622/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1568 and 1576 together.

While I cannot comment on individual cases, I can provide information on the Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Service, which provides victims who have opted into the service with general information on the prison system.

They will also provide victims with information regarding any form of temporary release; information regarding inter prison transfers, hospital appointments and court appearances; information regarding an escape from prison custody; and notification of upcoming Parole Board reviews. The Service of course also notifies registered victims when the time for an offender to be released from prison is approaching.

It is important to emphasise that the Victim Liaison Service is a voluntary service. The Victim Liaison Service is not permitted or legally mandated to reach out to a victim or their family, it is a matter for the victim or their families to choose if they want to receive information about a prisoner. They can register with the service at any stage during the prisoner’s sentence and can also change their mind and "opt-out" of the service at any time. Where the victim’s family make their views known, these are considered when any application is being reviewed.

In recognition of the fact that the needs of all victims are different, the opt-in nature of the Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Service takes into account those sensitivities and the question of registration must remain the individual choice of the victims and their families. To some victims, unwanted contact regarding a perpetrator’s sentence could be regarded as intrusive or insensitive.

Where someone has registered for this service, the Victim Liaison Officer will contact them or their nominated contact person directly to inform them of any significant development in the management of the perpetrator’s sentence.

I also understand that where a sex offender is subject to the Sex Offenders Acts, An Garda Síochána, where possible, will provide notification to registered victims ahead of the person’s release.