Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018
84. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the Sex Offenders Act 2001 to ensure that victims are informed when a sex offender is appealing to be removed from the sex offenders register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23036/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a number of developments over recent years which allow for information to be passed to victims of crime by the Garda Síochána's Victims Services Offices, in particular the coming into force of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017. That Act provides that victims of crime can receive information from the relevant criminal justice agency at all stages of criminal proceedings up to and including the offender's release from custody.
Upon their release from custody sex offenders are required to register with An Garda Síochána for a set period up to life, depending on the sentence that they received at trial. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a provision at section 10 that allows a registered sex offender to apply to the courts to have their name removed from the Register once a period of at least ten years has elapsed since their release. Prior to any such application they must first inform An Garda Síochána of their intention to do so.
I will shortly bring to Government a General Scheme of a Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill. The Bill will update the law as it relates to sexual offenders following a comprehensive review of current legislative and administrative provisions. Among the provisions proposed in the Scheme are:
- Changes to the notification requirements for sex offenders;
- Risk assessment of convicted persons;
- Disclosure of information by an Garda Síochána, relating to persons on the sex offender register, in extenuating circumstances;
- Electronic monitoring of sex offenders;
- Amendment and variation of a sex offender order (including the addition of electronic monitoring to an order); and
- Provisions whereby a court can prohibit a sex offender from working with children.
The Oireachtas will, of course, have the opportunity to consider this Bill once it is published. I am happy to consider further proposals regarding this issue.
