Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
122. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the implementation of the EU victim's directive in her Department and agencies and bodies under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35655/16]
View answerDirective 29/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, known as the Victims Directive, came into force on 16 November, 2015 across the European Union. The Directive provides that victims of crime will be able to:
- understand and be understood
- receive information
- be heard
- access victim support services
- enjoy safeguards in the context of restorative justice services
- access protection
- enjoy privacy in the context of the criminal proceedings
- receive an individual assessment to identify victim’s specific protection needs.
At an operational level arrangements have been put in place by the criminal justice agencies to ensure that the rights conferred by the Directive are provided to victims of crime within existing legislation and on a non-statutory basis. Legislation to introduce the rights provided for in the Directive on a statutory basis is being drafted as a priority and I expect to publish the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill during the current Dáil session. The key arrangements put in place by the criminal justice agencies are set out beneath.
An Garda Síochána
An Garda Síochána has trained members of all ranks to implement the new policies and procedures that they have put in place to ensure that victims of crime receive an appropriate and consistent response.
The Garda Commissioner put in place Garda Victim Service Offices across all 28 Garda Divisions following a successful pilot programme. These offices provide additional assistance to that already provided to victims and their families by investigating officers and Family Liaison Officers. Information on services available is provided to all victims and each victim undergoes an individual assessment of needs.
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
The Office of the DPP, which is independent in its functions, has also put in place the necessary measures to implement the Directive, together with An Garda Síochána, which prosecutes cases in the District Court on behalf of the DPP. These measures enable victims to receive reasons in the event of a decision not to prosecute and to seek a review of such a decision.
The Courts Service
The Courts Service has arrangements in place to ensure the final decision in a criminal trial and reasons for such a decision, where there is no jury involved, are given to victims. New court facilities built recently have and those planned will have separate areas for victims to reduce the likelihood of contact with accused persons in their case.
Funding
I have secured a €250,000 increase in the funding for 2017 for the victims organisations funded through the Victims of Crime Office in my Department in the recent Estimates process. This should help fund improved and expanded services by organisations working with victims. This is in addition to an extra €250,000 that I secured for 2016. The advertisement announcing the 2017 grant scheme appeared in the newspapers recently and applications are being received in the Victims of Crime Office. Services to victims that received funding in 2016 included helpline services, face to face emotional support, information and court accompaniment to victims and specialist services for those bereaved by homicide, tourist victims, child victims and victims of sexual crime and victims of domestic violence.
