Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 6

Written Answers. - Crime Victim Support Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

137 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of (a) the support services available to victims of crime from statutory agencies and from voluntary agencies in Dublin city and (b) the level of State funding devoted to these respective services; his views on whether these services are adequately funded at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I can answer the Deputy's question only in relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department or agencies in receipt of State funding through my Department. There are two such agencies which provide support services to victims of crime. These are the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal and the Irish Association for Victim Support. The operations of these agencies are not confined to Dublin city.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal which was set up under the scheme of compensation for personal injuries criminally inflicted, may payex gratia compensation in accordance with the terms of the scheme. Copies of the scheme are available in the Oireachtas Library.

The Irish Association for Victim Support is a voluntary organisation which is grant aided by my Department. The main purpose of the association which was formally established in 1985, is to provide non-financial support and practical assistance to individuals and families who have experienced distress, loss or inconvenience as a result of crime. The level of State funding provided in the 1990 Estimates in each case is as follows: £2 million — Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted; £8,000 — Irish Association for Victim Support.

The amount to be provided for any service in the Estimates for any year is decided on the basis of the requirements of the particular services, the competing demands for other services and the overall budgetary position.