AQO 3991/22-27 Oral question to the Minister of Justice
To ask the Minister of Justice to outline her plans for any increase to the offender levy.
Asked by Eóin Tennyson MLA on 17 September 2026
- Answered
- Oral
- Tabled
- 17 September 2026
- Answer due by
- 28 September 2026
- Answered
- 28 September 202611 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Justice
- Priority question
- No
Answer
ANSWER
The offender levy was introduced in June 2012 and applies to adult offenders only. Imposition of the levy is a statutory requirement, with legislative provision made in sections 1 – 6 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. The levy rates range between £5 and £50, depending on the severity of the sentence or penalty imposed, and levy revenue is used to resource a non-statutory Victims of Crime Fund. Since its inception, the levy has raised nearly £4.8m.
The levy rates have never been increased. Budgets in all Executive Departments are under considerable pressure. In the meantime, the needs of victims of crime must be met. As such I consider that an increase to the levy rates, to take account of inflation since 2012, is necessary.
Therefore, I will shortly launch an eight-week consultation to seek views on increasing the offender levy, with the aim of bringing the
necessary subordinate legislation to the Assembly before the end of this mandate. Implementation of an increase in the rates would be
subject to any necessary approvals and administrative arrangements being put in place.