Nursing Homes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Questions (625)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

625. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the number of files related to allegations of sexual, physical, psychological, financial, institutional abuse or neglect of residents living in nursing homes or disabilities centres which have been received by Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, since 2015; the number of files which resulted in a decision to prosecute by type of crime; the number of subsequent successful prosecutions which resulted from a decision to prosecute by type of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9106/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is an independent law officer under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended) and I have no role in the Office of the DPP and I am unable to comment on files received by the DPP, or on prosecutions brought by that office.

In relation to the outcomes of prosecutions, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, officials from my Department have made enquiries and the Courts Service has said that prosecutions are against alleged perpetrators and by offences. The Courts Service cannot identify classes of victims or categorise the location of offences.

For the Deputy’s information, the Courts Service provides a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas [e-mail].