Vol. 483 No. 6
375 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will put in place systems which will provide aid for non-nationals in situations of crisis, in order to eliminate a situation where non-nationals are being shunted between various agencies before securing proper help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21106/97]
State services, such as health, accommodation, welfare or other personal social services are provided as appropriate to persons in need, irrespective of nationality, by the relevant Government Departments or agencies with responsibilities in these areas. In addition, the Tourist Victim Support Service is a unique initiative which offers a special service to non-nationals who are victims of crime while visiting Ireland. The national service is co-ordinated from Garda DMA Headquarters in offices provided by the Garda authorities and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Garda authorities have ensured also that there are long-standing instructions to all members which provide, where a non-national may be charged with an offence, that every facility is to be afforded to enable contact to be made with the relevant consular officials of the country of origin.
