Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
621. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons reported as missing in each of the past three years to date; the number traced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19594/14]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the total number of missing person reports from 2011 to 27 April, 2014. The table also sets out the total number of persons reported missing during that period who remain untraced. It should be noted that the figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change.
|
Year |
No. of Missing Person Reports |
No. of persons reported missing who remain untraced |
|
2014 (to 27 April) |
2,676 |
56 |
|
2013 |
7,753 |
23 |
|
2012 |
8,815 |
26 |
|
2011 |
8,511 |
24 |
I am assured that all incidents where persons have been reported missing remain open and under investigation until such time as the person is located. The Local District Officers take direct responsibility for the management and operation of all investigations relating to missing persons. Local investigation teams are appointed by the District Officer, and all means necessary, including the services of specialist units, are deployed to assist in these investigations, as considered appropriate.
Furthermore, the Garda Missing Persons Bureau, which is responsible for all data relating to missing persons, provides expert assistance and advice to District Officers in all high risk missing person cases. The Garda authorities are satisfied that adequate resources, including staff and technology, are in place to deal with this issue and that investigations are carried out in line with international best practice. I am, of course, conscious of the ongoing impact of these cases on the families and friends of persons who go missing and I was therefore pleased to inaugurate National Missing Persons Day with a very successful commemorative ceremony in December last year. Preparations are currently underway in relation to Missing Persons Day 2014.
