Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2014
136. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 907 of 16 July 2013, if he will provide the total cost and usage for 2013; his plans to expand the use of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17184/14]
View answerThe current electronic monitoring contract is effective from 1 March 2013 and is due to expire in June 2014. Expenditure for the first year to 28 February 2014 is €23,533 approximately (excluding VAT) which covers the costs for 10 live units and monitoring. The Irish Prison Service is running a further tender process for the provision of 50 electronic monitoring devices. There are currently 4 offenders on conditional release with an electronic tag.
The use of electronic monitoring is mainly used by the Irish Prison Service to monitor hospital in-patients who have been granted temporary release from Prison. It thus allows for a significant reduction in staffing costs for hospital escorts. However, in considering any prisoner for temporary release, under the specified conditions relating to the management of the electronic monitoring process, public safety remains the primary operational consideration.
Last December, the Government approved the drafting of a wide-ranging Sexual Offences Bill. The General Scheme of the Bill includes provisions for the electronic monitoring of convicted sex offenders in specific circumstances. This legislation is currently being drafted. Electronic monitoring is also being examined by the group conducting an all encompassing strategic review of penal policy.
