Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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428. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the planned introduction of electronic tagging, the work of the review group on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67033/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is leading a cross-agency project to introduce electronic monitoring for specific categories of individuals, as committed to in the Programme for Government, and in line with existing legal provisions.

Existing legislation, including the Bail Act 1997, as amended, the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended and the Sex Offender Act 2001, as amended, provide for electronic monitoring, in certain circumstances.

A steering group is in place, made up of sectoral representatives, who will be involved in the delivery. Work is underway involving representatives from the various agencies, to prepare to operationalise electronic monitoring. This includes consideration of technology, data protection, procurement, implementation, and operating model design.

A Request for Information was published on eTenders on Thursday, 5 June. This is a key early step in engaging with the market and preparing for a future Request for Tender.

Budget 2026 allocated funding of €2.1m for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set up costs. It is intended to go to tender for an electronic monitoring provider this year.