Kieran Collins, chairperson of the Rathdown Road and District Residents' Association in Phibsborough, received a letter signed by Bertie Ahern, and a response from Justice Minister Michael McDowell, following his initial correspondence outlining residents' concerns that O'Grady was living in such close proximity to a school.

Collins said the replies do not adequately address residents' fears. "It does not address our issue that he is living beside a school. What we'd like to see is a defined area around schools where sex offenders cannot live."

McDowell's letter states that the Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offenders Bill currently being drafted would amend the "notifications procedure" in the Sex Offenders Act.

The Taoiseach's cover letter points to McDowell's response and advises Collins to "contact my office" with any other queries.

It is not currently an arrestable offence for convicted international sex offenders to fail to declare their status to gardai but the new legislation would close this loophole.

O'Grady, originally from Limerick, has admitted to molesting over 20 children, including a nine-month old baby, while a parish priest in California. He served seven years in prison in the US on counts of abusing two boys and was deported to Ireland in 2000.

He is not listed on the Irish sex offenders' register as it only came into existence under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

O'Grady returned to Ireland in 2000 and the register does not apply retrospectively, according to the Garda press office.

Collins also received a letter from O'Grady's solicitor on the same day as the correspondence from the Taoiseach.

From Garrett Sheehan & Partners, the letter states that while there is "no legal requirement" on O'Grady to register with gardai, he "has a specific Garda contact with whom he is in touch."