Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
182. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider establishing a children's house model providing multidisciplinary services to children in one location including social services, police and forensic medical experts to support and treat child victims of crime. [20329/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that models of multi disciplinary one stop shop type services based in one location known as a children's house model operate in other jurisdictions as a means of supporting child victims of crime and their families.
Currently in Ireland a range of Government Departments and Agencies, including for example, An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, Tusla and the HSE, in tandem with non Government organisations provide a range of services and supports to child victims of crime.
Existing legislation and practice in Ireland already provides for a range of special measures for child victims of crime within the criminal justice sphere, for example, in the area of Garda interviewing of child victims and in the presentation of evidence by such victims in court proceedings.
In further strengthening the responses and support to child victims of crime the Deputy will appreciate my priority at present is the effective implementation of the EU Directive 2012/29/EU which is known as the EU Victims Directive. This Directive establishes minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime across the European Union. Child victims of crime are to be considered and treated as full bearers of the rights set out in the Directive and implementation of the measures - which include particular protection measures for children during criminal proceedings - will enhance the level of supports being provided to such victims.
As the Deputy may be aware the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016 which was published on 29 December, 2016 and is due to be progressed through Committee Stage in the Dáil shortly will transpose into Irish law the EU Victims Directive. The introduction of this legislation also fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government to enact legislation to strengthen the rights of victims of crime and their families. In tandem with this, and pending the enactment of the legislation, all of the criminal justice agencies have been working to ensure that the measures contained in the EU Victims Directive have been put in place on an administrative basis since it came into effect in November 2015.
Finally I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that the Victims Bill provides that highest level of protection possible for all victims of crime, and particularly those who have the greatest need for protection such as child victims. In this regard child victims benefit from all of the rights provided under the Bill and specific provision is being made for a range of additional rights which will strengthen the supports available to child victims of crime.
I will keep the question of the establishment of the children's house model under review.
