Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when, in accordance with the programme for Government, he expects to reintroduce the electronic tagging of individuals convicted for certain crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24444/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to implementing electronic monitoring in line with the commitment set out in the current Programme for Government.

Since becoming Minister for Justice. I have demonstrated my commitment to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and providing effective rehabilitation.

I recently secured approval for the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. This Bill includes measures that will bring welcome changes across a range of areas, improving operational capacity in our prisons and bolstering sentencing options to reduce reliance on custodial sentences. It includes proposed amendments to the Community Service Act 1983 to encourage greater use of community service orders, thereby helping to divert people from prison to the benefit of wider society.

Additionally, last month I was pleased to publish the Probation Service's 'Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027', which will further support the use of non-custodial options, where appropriate to manage offenders.

In order to progress the use of electronic monitoring, a steering group has been established to oversee the project, comprising representatives from the Department of Justice and relevant bodies including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Existing legislation, including the Bail Act 1997, the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and the Sex Offender (Amendment) Act 2023 provide for electronic monitoring, in certain circumstances.

I am advised that work is underway involving representatives from the various agencies, to prepare to operationalise electronic monitoring, including consideration of the technology to be used. This work will inform the order in which the various legislative provisions should be commenced, having regard to the practical and operational considerations involved.

An initial rollout of electronic monitoring is expected later this year following a procurement exercise to select a service provider. Work on the procurement is also being progressed with a Request for Information due to issue to the market shortly which will inform the development of a Request for Tenders in the next few months.