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Sex Offenders Notification Requirements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Ceisteanna (313)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

313. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the responsibility An Garda Síochána has to persons, communities and neighbourhood watch schemes with regard to sharing information pertaining to convicted sex offenders who are living within their communities; and the information that should be shared to ease concern, worry and frustration within communities. [11922/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I understand the concern which communities can have in relation to the issue of rehabilitation of sex offenders and measures to protect public safety after they have been released from prison. In that regard, the Sex Offenders Act 2001 provides that a Court can impose conditions on a convicted sex offender as part of their post-release supervision. Further, where An Garda Síochána believe that a convicted offender poses a serious risk to the public, it can apply to the courts for a Sex Offender Order under s.16 of the 2001 Act. A Sex Offender Order can prohibit the offender from doing anything the Court considers necessary, in order to ensure that the public is protected from serious harm.

In order to strengthen these protections further, and following a comprehensive review of current law and administrative practice, my Department developed the General Scheme of the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill. The General Scheme was approved by Government in June 2018 and is available on the Department’s website www.justice.ie

The purpose of the Bill, which is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting, is to enhance current systems for assessment and management of convicted sex offenders and to put those systems on a statutory footing.

While the drafting process is not yet complete, the main provisions are expected to include:

- Stricter notification requirements including requiring offenders to notify Gardaí of their address upon release from custody, or any subsequent change of address, within 3 days as opposed to the existing 7 days.

- Provision to allow for fingerprinting and photographing the offender, where necessary to confirm their identity.

- Enhanced supervision of high-risk offenders, including, in limited circumstances, the electronic monitoring of offenders subject to post-release supervision orders.

- The placing on a legislative footing of assessment teams to assess and manage the risk posed by sex offenders.

- Provisions whereby a court can prohibit a sex offender from working with children.

- Provision for a statutory basis for the necessary disclosure of information relating to a high-risk offender on the ‘sex offenders register’. The information in relation to an offender which may be disclosed include the name, address and threat posed by the offender. It is intended that the disclosure would only be made to the minimum number of people necessary to avert a serious risk to safety.

After drafting, a decision on approval and publication of the Bill will be a matter for the incoming Government.

Question No. 314 answered with Question No. 305.
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