Liz McManus
Ceist:114 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the report of the expert group on crime statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27247/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 3 November 2004
Ceisteanna (59)
Freagraí scríofa
I received and published the report of the Expert Group on Crime Statistics in July this year. The terms of reference of the group were, inter alia, to: examine the collation of information relating to crimes reported to and recorded by the gardaí; examine the collation of information relating to other crimes where the Garda Síochána is not the prosecuting authority; identify the needs of the key stakeholders within the criminal justice system and the wider research community; and to make recommendations on the necessary structures and resources to be provided to allow statistics compiled within the criminal justice system to be analysed so that emerging trends can be identified.
The expert group was comprised of members from my Department, the Garda Síochána, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Courts Service, the Prison Service, the Central Statistics Office, the National Crime Council and the research community and was chaired by Mr. David Kennedy. In its report, the group made recommendations in two broad areas, relating to improvements in the current system and more fundamental changes. I have accepted the recommendations of the group. In regard to the recommendation that a new central crime statistics unit be established to compile and publish enhanced crime statistics, based initially on data derived from the Garda Síochána's PULSE system, the unit will be located in the Central Statistics Office. My Department, the Garda Síochána and the Central Statistics Office are currently engaged in working on the establishment of this unit.