Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
433 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of gardaí available in each region who have been trained to conduct specialist child interviews as part of the joint protocol with the Health Service Executive; the resources available to them to assist in the carrying out of such interviews; his future plans for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30591/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Child Specialist Interviewers trained to conduct interviews with children and vulnerable adults, including persons with intellectual disability, per region, as at 22 June 2012 is as set out hereunder:
|
Region |
Number |
|
D.M.R. |
20 |
|
Eastern |
13 |
|
South Eastern |
12 |
|
Western |
10 |
|
Southern |
8 |
|
Northern |
8 |
|
N.S.S. |
9 |
|
Total |
80 |
Garda personnel, with personnel from the HSE (Children and Family Services Division) undergo an intensive training programme to become competent to deal with all victims of serious crime occurrences but particularly children under 14 years of age and persons with intellectual disabilities. Section 16(1)(b) of the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 provides for the video recording of statements made by such persons, in respect of whom certain offences are alleged to have been committed. Subject to approval by the court, the video recording may then be played at any criminal court proceedings, thus eliminating the necessity for the child / vulnerable adult to give direct evidence in the normal fashion.
Garda Specialist Interviewers are required and facilitated to give priority to the interviewing of children and persons with intellectual disability over other duties. Their training entails an intensive four week course that commences a two-year personal experiential learning programme. Specialist Interviewers undergo professional supervision by Garda trainers of the Crime Training Faculty at the Garda College to ensure that good practice is maintained while they are employed in that role.
Seven suitably equipped and dedicated interview suites have been secured at strategic locations throughout the country and are specifically designed to provide appropriate facilities for these interviews.
