Denis Naughten
Question:740. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the number of sex offenders on the sex offenders register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27186/20]
View answerTuesday, 29 September 2020
Questions (740)
Written answers
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the information sought by the Deputy and I will contact him directly when the report is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
A person found guilty in court of a sexual offence automatically becomes subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. The sex offenders must notify the Garda Síochána of their name and address for a period, depending on the seriousness of the offence, even if no custodial sentence is imposed. If a person is convicted of a sexual offence under the Sex Offenders Act 2001, a certificate of conviction is issued from the relevant court to the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit (SOMIU), which is located within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB). Relevant information relating to the convicted sex offender is recorded on the Garda Síochána PULSE (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) system.
The SOMIU maintains a record of everyone in the State who has been convicted of particular sexual offences and who has obligations under the Sex Offenders Act 2001. A Garda Inspector in each division is nominated to manage the risk of sex offenders in their community, ensure sex offenders comply with the Act and report information to SOMIU.
As of 28 September 2020, one-thousand, six-hundred and twenty-five (1,625) persons are subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.
However, the number of persons recorded as being subject of the requirements of part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 may vary from day to day as additional people are convicted relating to relevant offences and/or are released from, or returned to, prison. Other factors such as the death of a person or the fact that a person is no longer subject to the provisions of part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 in accordance with section 8 of the Act, may also lead to a change in the number of persons recorded as being subject of the aforementioned requirements.