The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has published the heads of the Victims of Crime Bill.

The bill gives victims of crime a legal right to access information relating to their case.

Under the bill, the Prison service must inform victims of the release of an offender.

It must also tell victims if a prosecution is being dropped.

The Victims' Rights Alliance (VRA) welcomed the publication of the Heads of the Bill.

It says it will embed a culture shift towards respect for the human rights of victims of crime within the criminal justice system.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomed the publication. It's called for the necessary resources to ensure that all aspects of the Bill can be implemented.