Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 7

Written Answers. - Charter for Victim of Crime.

Peadar Clohessy

Question:

19 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, she intends to introduce to give legislative meaning to her endorsement of the Irish Association for Victim Support's relaunched Charter for Victims of Crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8485/95]

Máirín Quill

Question:

24 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, she intends to introduce to give legislative meaning to her endorsement of the Irish Association for Victim Support's relaunched Charter for Victims of Crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8484/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 24 together.

Deputies on all sides of the House will, I am sure, be aware of my support for the Irish Association for Victim Support and the valuable service it provides for victims of crime. At present, my Department provides a significant level of funding to help the association with its work and I can assure you that it is my intention that this level of support will continue in the future.

The growing awareness of the importance of improving the way in which the law deals with victims is reflected by a number of changes in legislation and procedure, which have already been implemented by my Department in recent years. I recently received an updated Charter of Victims Rights launched by the Irish Association for Victim Support and officials in my Department have since had discussions with the association about its updated charter.

As the Deputies will be aware, the Government's policy agreementA Government of Renewal includes a commitment to draw up a Charter for Victims of Crime. Any proposal which I might have, following detailed examination of these matters, will have to be considered and approved by the Government before being announced in the normal way.