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Victim Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Ceisteanna (1284)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

1284. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice her plans to make free psychological supports available to all victims once their court case ends in view of the fact that a range of supports are provided to the perpetrator in prison (details supplied); if she will consider such supports for victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15739/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that I recently launched the Justice Plan 2021.  In that we have committed to ‘Strengthening community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic sexual and gender based violence’.  It commits to placing victims at the centre of our criminal justice system and working to remove the fear that many victims have of coming forward to report what happened to them.

The Justice Plan 2021 has a number of actions to advance this goal, including through the implementation of Supporting a Victims Journey.  Supporting a Victims Journey is a detailed roadmap, which, when implemented, will ensure we have a more victim-centred system that supports and empowers victims and gives them the confidence to engage with all services knowing they will be supported, informed and treated with respect and dignity at every point and by every person they come into contact with.

It is important to state that the supports being introduced will be provided regardless of whether or not criminal proceedings are in train and will extend beyond the trial and verdict because victims do not stop needing support at the end of a trial.

I am deeply committed to implementing in full all of the recommendations set out in Supporting a Victims Journey and I am chairing an Implementation Oversight Group comprising all relevant Departments and Agencies responsible for driving the implementation of the agreed actions.

While the provision of counselling services is not directly under my remit and falls to Tusla and the Department of Health, I can confirm that both were represented on the O'Malley Implementation Group and are committed to delivering the recommendations as set out in Supporting A Victims Journey and to providing all relevant supports for victims of crime.

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