As I am sure the Deputy is aware, I have taken a particular interest in relation to the issue of missing persons, and I am concerned to ensure that the Garda Síochána have effective arrangements in place to trace those who are reported missing. The individual to whom the Deputy referred in his question was undoubtedly vulnerable but as the Deputy has not supplied any details I cannot comment further. As the House will be aware I have no responsibility in relation to monitoring those in receipt of social welfare payments, local authority housing or other social services, but I have asked my officials to discuss with their opposite numbers in the other Departments, whether the type of reporting arrangements advocated by the Deputy would be likely to be of benefit in the case of missing persons.
The question of taking any additional operational measures to investigate cases of persons who go missing in suspicious circumstances is kept under constant review by the Garda Commissioner. Currently, the Garda Missing Persons Bureau is responsible for the tracing of all persons reported missing, and as part of this function, liaises with the families concerned. The Garda Síochána make every effort to locate all persons reported as missing, where the disappearance is classified as an "acceptable missing person". This classification covers persons who are under 18 years, the elderly, physically or mentally handicapped persons, or whose disappearance occurred in circumstances which give rise to fears for their physical or moral safety. It has to be borne in mind that some adults may decide, in effect, to go "missing". While this undoubtedly gives rise to great concern on the part of their families and friends, it is a personal choice for the person concerned.
