Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2008
104 Deputy Brendan Kenneally asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the protocols in place for the Garda Síochána to respond either to victims or people who report crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43216/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is Garda Síochána policy to provide the best service possible to victims of crime. I understand that under the revised Garda Charter for Victims of Crime members of An Garda Síochána taking incident reports from victims of crime will inform each victim of available support services and provide each victim with the National Crime Victims Helpline number, in writing. An Garda Síochána have also adopted the procedure of issuing a letter to the victim, informing them of the name of the investigating Garda, how to contact the Garda, details of the PULSE Incident Number and the number of the National Crime Victims Helpline or ITAS as appropriate.
The purpose of the Pulse letter is to provide feedback to the victims and to enable them to make appropriate inquiries at any PULSE networked Garda Station on the current status of their case. It also affords the victim an opportunity to avail of victim support services as the letter is accompanied by a list of national and regional organisations that support victims of crime. It is for the individual to decide if he/she wishes to avail of the services provided by these organisations. A letter is also sent to the victim in all cases where a person is made amenable for the crime.
As outlined by the Garda Charter, Garda Family Liaison Officers are appointed to keep victims' families informed of the progress of more serious investigations and to ensure that they are afforded appropriate and relevant emotional, psychological, informational and practical support. The local Superintendent will appoint a Garda Family Liaison Officer to families of victims, who have been or are being subjected to emotional or psychological trauma related to incidents / crimes of:
Homicide;
Kidnappings;
False imprisonment;
Hostage siege situations;
Crime (other than above) where violence or an immediate threat of violence has been visited upon the victim;
Suicide and road traffic fatalities.
In cases of rape and other sexual offences a member of the investigating team, approved by the local Superintendent, will perform the functions of the Garda Family Liaison Officer. The Garda Charter may be viewed in full on the Garda Síochána website at www.garda.ie.
The Deputy may already be aware that at my request the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime is currently engaged in carrying out a review of the Victims Charter and guide to the criminal justice system which my Department first published in 1999. The Victims Charter includes a Garda Charter.
The Garda Inspectorate have been requested to advise on the development and implementation of the Garda Charter proposed in the Programme for Government which will set out targeted response times and levels of service which the public can expect including frequency of high visibility patrols in urban and rural communities. The Garda Inspectorate have advised me that they expect to complete their report early next year and I look forward to receiving their advice.
