AQO 3991/22-27
Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann
Tabled Date: 17/09/2026
Answered On Date: 28/09/2026
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice to outline her plans for any increase to the offender levy.
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.
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