Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2012
297 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current period of time within which a person released from prison following a sexual conviction has to register at a Garda station, when they are required to do so; the corresponding period for those entering the State; the plans, if any, he has to review the registration procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Sex Offenders Act 2001, a convicted sex offender is required to notify his name and home address to the Garda Síochána within 7 days of becoming subject to the notification requirement. This notification period applies whether the person is resident in the State or was convicted of a relevant offence in another jurisdiction and subsequently enters this State.
Sexual offences for the purposes of the legislation are specified in the schedule to the 2001 Act and following conviction the court certifies that the offender is subject to the Act's requirements.
My Department has been conducting a wide-ranging examination of the law on sexual offences. A review of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 formed an integral part of that examination. Arising from the review, I expect to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the 2001 Act later in the year. These will include a number of measures to strengthen the current notification requirements.
