Securing employment or training, and the ability to rebuild a life after committing an offence, is crucial to breaking the cycle of offending. Effective spent convictions legislation has a major role to play in removing barriers to the reintegration of former offenders and prisoners who have demonstrated that they have moved on from past offending behaviour.
For information on whether the Spent Convictions legislation signed into law in February and commenced end April 2016 applies to you, please see Citizens Information. If this does not answer your question, please contact the Department of Justice - contact details here.
With thanks to SpunOut.ie we have produced a short information video on Spent Convictions (for convictions received for offences committed over 18). We have also produced an easy-to-read information sheet on spent convictions.
For questions about the Garda Vetting 'Admin Filter', please contact the Garda Central Vetting Unit.
IPRT has been campaigning for robust and extensive Spent Convictions legislation to be introduced in Ireland since 2007. You can read all about our work and recent developments below.
Offences committed under age 18?
Under Section 258 of the Children Act 2001, offences committed by those under eighteen years of age can be expunged from the record once certain conditions are met. See here.
With thanks to SpunOut.ie, we also have a short information video on Expungement of Convictions (for convictions received for offences committed under 18). We have also produced an easy-to-read information sheet on expungement of convictions.
19th November 2019
The Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018 (PMB) returns to the Seanad on Wednesday 20th November 2019 at 530pm. IPRT's analysis is that the Bill should be strengthened in order to fulfill its rehabilitative goals.
10th July 2019
IPRT appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality to give evidence as part of the Committee’s review of spent convictions legislation.
12th February 2019
Senator Lynn Ruane hosted an Oireachtas Briefing in advance of Seanad Second Stage debate of the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018.
7th February 2019
A short briefing outlining the amendments the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018, if passed, would make to the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016.
5th February 2019
ADVISORY: IPRT responds to the launch of the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018 [PMB] by Senator Lynn Ruane.
29th January 2019
The UK Supreme Court has found that two aspects of the criminal records disclosure regime in England and Wales are in breach of Article 8 ECHR.
8th October 2018
In this submission, IPRT outlines the need for the extension of the current grounds for protection against discrimination and the addition of a ‘social origin’ and/or ‘socio-economic status’ ground.
29th August 2018
A survey was conducted in the US on HR professionals, managers and non-managers to assess their attitudes and policies regarding the hiring of people with previous convictions.
20th November 2017
IPRT has launched two information sheets entitled 'Information on: Spent Convictions' and 'Information on: Expungement of Convictions'.
27th October 2017
The current system for disclosure of youth criminal records undermines the principles of the youth justice system, says the Justice Committee in a new report published today, 27 October 2017.
27th September 2017
IPRT held a seminar entitled 'Working with Conviction' on Tuesday 26th September 2017 in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 2.
18th July 2017
IPRT has welcomed the National Drugs Strategy’s recommendation that the Government consider decriminalisation of minor drug possession and review spent convictions legislation.
17th July 2017
IPRT welcomes National Drugs Strategy recommendations on criminal convictions and alternative sanctions.
11th July 2017
IPRT would like to hear from people who have experienced issues with getting insurance (home/motor/self-employment/other) due to having previous convictions. Anonymity is completely guaranteed.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.