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A new parole board will be established and fully operational by July 2021 in accordance with plans announced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
It is envisioned to be completely independent of who the Minister is at any given time, a change from the current system of sending recommendations to the Minister.
One of the proposals for the new board includes making life-sentence inmates serve 12 years before they can apply for parole, up from seven.
Minister Helen McEntee said the Justice Department is currently working on the selection of members, the appointment of staff and the selection of an appropriate office space for what she has described as a strategic priority for the department.
Speaking today about the announcement before the start of the Parole Act next year, the Minister of Justice explained why it was important to consult various stakeholders on the new project and the importance of the system for victims of serious crime.
“I think it is very important that all stakeholders, including victims, stay informed about the progress of the project and understand how the changes will affect them once the law begins.
“I am pleased to say that the project team has completed a stakeholder mapping exercise and has started preliminary consultations with some of the key stakeholders.
“A formal plan is currently being developed to include written communications to victims and applicants for parole.
I know that many victims are waiting for the new parole board to become fully operational and I am determined to see this happen in 2021.
“I am fully committed to establishing the new board as soon as possible on a legal basis and taking into account the concerns of victims and survivors.
“The project team within my department is actively working to advance the selection of board members, the appointment of an executive and staff director, the development of legal processes and a legal assistance plan, as well as to ensure the proper facilities for the new body and a project board has been established in my department to oversee this important work.
“The Government has supported this commitment with funds allocated for the parole board for 2021 of 1.3 million euros, which is more than double the previous allocations. This substantial increase will allow the implementation of the parole model as provided in the Parole Board Act.
“The new statutory parole board will greatly improve the system as it currently operates. As mentioned, the 2019 Parole Act places the parole board on an independent legal basis and establishes clear and transparent criteria on how the board will make its decisions, which will be independent of the Minister on duty.
“The law also increases the length of sentence that life-sentence inmates must serve before they are eligible to be considered for parole, from 7 to 12 years.”
Sinn Féin TD and Justice and Equality spokesman Martin Kenny said the announcement is a good step, but should have been introduced more quickly as the legislation was passed two years ago.
Mr. Kenny said: “I would not really have a critique of what the minister is trying to do. I would have an observation that it could be done much faster and that it should be in place now.”
“Hopefully this date, which is the middle of next year, will not pass and you will have the parole board established and fully operational,
“To ensure that society and the many victims of serious crime who are very concerned about the current regime that is in place to deliver parole to people is achieved.”
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