My Department is leading a cross-agency project to introduce electronic monitoring for specific categories of individuals, as committed to in the Programme for Government, and in line with existing legal provisions. Existing legislation, including the Bail Act 1997, as amended, the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended and the Sex Offender Act 2001, as amended, provide for electronic monitoring, in certain circumstances.
I had previously committed to the publication of a Request for Tender (RFT) for the provision of an electronic monitoring service provider by the end of 2025. This Request for Tender has now been published, with a closing date of the 16 January 2026 at 5pm. My Department is tendering for an EM service provider for a 12-month pilot phase, which will focus on individuals on temporary release nationally and those admitted to bail in a pilot area. It is proposed to utilise 30 to 50 electronic tags during this phase. This is expected to provide capacity to electronically monitor between 90 and 150 people in a year, but exact numbers monitored will depend on a range of factors including individuals’ lengths of time on bail, or on Temporary Release, and individuals’ personal circumstances, including ongoing suitability and compliance with conditions.
The pilot approach will allow for processes and procedures to be tested before a wider scale national rollout, while also supporting the agencies involved to build capability and knowledge of the EM system. Insights from the pilot will inform any future national rollout and procurement. I have secured funding of €2.1m in Budget 2026 for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set up costs.
