Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
424. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who must currently comply with Garda registration under Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of persons currently in breach of conditions under this part of the Act; the corresponding figures for 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28181/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra425. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who breached conditions under Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of recorded incidents, prosecutions and convictions that have taken place in 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28182/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra426. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sex offenders who entered the State from abroad in each of the past five years and notified the Garda under the Sex Offenders Act 2001 within the specified seven days; the number who breached this notification procedure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28183/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 424 to 426, inclusive, together.
The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive series of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons. Part 2 of the Act makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements. The provisions of the Act also extend to any offenders convicted abroad of the same range of sexual offences who enter the State.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 26 June 2014, there were 1,357 persons subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Act.
Insofar as the information requested regarding the number of notifications in relation to sex offenders entering the state from abroad over the past five years is concerned.
In relation to the other statistical information requested by the Deputy, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide relevant statistics directly to the Deputy.
All offenders subject to the notification requirements are monitored by the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit (SOMIU) at the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Unit is supported by Garda Inspectors nominated in each Garda Division throughout the State. I am assured by the Garda authorities that the appropriate level of monitoring is carried out by An Garda Síochána and that all breaches of the requirements which come to notice are pursued.
