New legislation will see sex offenders subject to electronic tagging later this year

This year’s amendment to the Sex Offenders Act sees the strengthening of measures designed to manage and monitor sex offenders in communities. Amendments include changes to the sex offenders register notification and a ban on those convicted working with children or vulnerable people.

The Act is intended to be implemented later this year and An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice are coordinating their efforts with other departments and agencies to prepare for its implementation.

Published last week, 2023’s Justice Plan has committed to setting up a working group of key stakeholders to create a plan by the end of this year to be able to utilise electronic tagging.

Speaking on the new legislation, Minister for Justice Simon Harris has said, “I welcome the enactment of the Sex Offenders Amendment Act, meeting a key commitment under our Justice Plan and Programme for Government. It is one of the key reforms to help us build stronger, safer communities.”

Our new Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act is now law. It will strengthen the monitoring of sex offenders, including changes to the sex offenders register, provides for electronic tagging & an explicit prohibition on sex offenders working with children or vulnerable people https://t.co/5YbPkfFGuE

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 7, 2023

“I understand the concerns that communities can have about sex offenders and the protection of public safety, and I am confident this legislation will help to alleviate those concerns,” he continued, outlining, “The primary aim of this legislation is to improve the management and monitoring of sex offenders in the community to protect the public, including through the use of electronic tagging.”

“Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based is a priority for me and this government, and this is reflected in a range of policies and legislation that we will continue to progress under the Zero Tolerance strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence."

“One of my priority focuses as minister for justice is making the criminal justice system more victim-centred, and this Act contains significant measures to help in this work.”

James Browne, Minister of State, added to the Justice Minister’s statement, “This Act will give An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service the tools to ensure sex offenders are managed effectively, striking an appropriate balance between monitoring and restricting offenders while also supporting them in their rehabilitation.”

“We know that reintegration into society is an important factor in reducing reoffending. The obligations placed on the offender will be informed by the risk posed in individual cases and interventions and conditions can be targeted and varied by the courts to make them as effective as possible,” he continued.

“This legislation underlies the government’s shared commitment to keeping our communities, and women and children in particular, safe from sexual violence.”