Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
181. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure that child victims of crime have immediate access to adequate, free and confidential supports services. [20326/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of Government Departments and Agencies, including for example, An Garda Síochána, Tusla, the HSE, the Courts Service and my Department in tandem with non Government organisations all currently provide a range of support services for child victims of crime.
Insofar as my remit is concerned my Department provides funding support, through its Victims of Crime Office, to services supporting child victims of crime in areas such as court accompaniment, accompaniment to specialist children and adolescent sexual assault treatment services and for bereavement counselling. I am pleased that I have been able to continue to secure an increased funding allocation for this office in recent years to further develop these services.
In tandem with this, a range of special measures and supports can be availed of by child victims of crime in relation to criminal proceedings. This includes, for example, in the Garda interviewing of child victims and in the presentation of evidence by such victims in the court process.
In further strengthening assistance in this policy area, the implementation of the European Union Directive 2012/29/EU, which is known as the Victims Directive, which is currently being transposed into Irish law by the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016, will further extend and enhance the level of supports being provided to child victims of crime.
In particular, in recognising that child victims of crime are particularly vulnerable, specific provisions are included in the Bill catering for additional rights and supports to be made available to such victims within the criminal justice setting.
The enactment of this legislation remains a priority for me and I look forward to the full support of the Oireachtas in its progression as expeditiously as possible.
