Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2017
259. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bills that have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to bereaved persons due to fatal road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation; the amount of these bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29506/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bills of over €1,000 that have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to families of persons suffering serious injury due to road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation; the amount of these bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29507/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra261. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which bills have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to persons bereaved due to fatal road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation when the directive of 30 August 2016 waived such fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which bills of more than €1,000 have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to families of persons suffering serious injury due to road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation when the directive of 30 August 2016 capped such fees at €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra263. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the bill for €1,940 sent recently from An Garda Síochána to persons (details supplied) for copies of road traffic collision documentation following a fatal road traffic collision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29510/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra264. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the wording of the directive stating that from 1 January 2017 bills from An Garda Síochána to families of persons suffering serious injury due to road traffic collisions would be capped at €1,000 and bills to persons bereaved due to fatal road traffic collisions would be waived in respect of copies of road traffic collision documentation; if all Garda divisions are implementing this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29511/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 264, inclusive, together.
I understand that persons involved in road traffic collisions, their legal advisers or insurers or other interested parties may, on written request, be supplied with an abstract of the Garda report in respect of the collision, copies of statements of witnesses and sketches or maps of the scene.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 259 - 264 for answer on 27 June 2017, in which you requested certain details in relation to the fees being charged by An Garda Síochána for abstracts and statements in respect of road traffic collisions. As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to revert to you in relation to the matter.
You have submitted further questions for answer on 4 July and I include, for ease of reference, my response to those questions which provides details of the new Garda policy in relation to charges for abstracts and statements. I have been assured by the Garda authorities that an instruction has now issued to all Garda stations in relation to the new policy and that arrangements will be put in place for appropriate refunds to be made in respect of applications received since 1 January 2017.
I have been further assured that all fees in respect of the tragic and fatal road traffic collision which occurred in Kilworth, Co. Cork on 22 December 2015 have been waived and that arrangements have been made for the local Superintendent to make direct contact with the person (details supplied) and for the Divisional and District Officers to meet with them shortly to address their concerns. I trust that this is of assistance.
Regarding the Deputy's other questions, as the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Síochána Vote. I understand, however, that persons involved in road traffic collisions, their legal advisers or insurers or other interested parties may, on written request, be supplied with an abstract of the Garda report in respect of the collision, copies of statements of witnesses and sketches or maps of the scene. Abstracts and statements are not normally supplied until any criminal proceedings are concluded and, in the case of fatal traffic collisions, until the inquest concerning the death has been completed by the Coroner.
I understand that the fees charged are generally designed to recoup administrative costs incurred in the preparation and processing of requests for abstracts and statements and that they are kept under ongoing review. I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that, following discussions and consultation with victim support groups and other agencies, the following arrangements will apply with effect from 1 January 2017 and in respect of applications received after that date:
- fees in respect of fatal road traffic collisions will be waived (one copy per applicant);
- fees in respect of road traffic collisions resulting in serious injury will be capped at €1,000 (one copy per applicant);
- in circumstances where the investigation of a road traffic collision remains ongoing and criminal proceedings are being contemplated or have already been initiated, or in circumstances where an Inquest has not been completed by the Coroner, abstracts will not be supplied. However, a reduced or amended abstract form containing ‘appropriate information’ as provided for in section 106(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, will be provided free of charge;
- the following fees will be payable in respect of applications in respect of road traffic collisions resulting in material damage:
|
Item |
Fee |
|
Collision Reports |
|
|
Forensic Collision Report - Full Report |
€400 |
|
Rough Data - Per Page |
€40 |
|
Copy of Scale Plan - Other than that as provided as part of full report |
€50 |
|
Copy of Vehicle Examination Report (Unless provided as part of full report) |
€70 |
|
Photographs |
|
|
From Digital Camera (per disc) |
€30 |
|
A4 Index Sheet |
€20 |
|
Photographs (1st Photograph |
€25 |
|
Each Subsequent photograph |
€5 |
|
Abstract of report |
€60 |
|
Copy of Statement |
€40 |
I have been informed that an instruction in this regard has now been issued by the Garda authorities and that arrangements will be put in place for appropriate refunds to be made in respect of applications received since 1 January 2017.
