Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
341. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Justice if she has raised with An Garda Síochána, the situation whereby children would have been in the number of 999 calls rejected; the number of children calling 999 in each of the past three years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35520/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the apology that was made by the Garda Commissioner last week and the Commissioner has assured me that when someone calls 999 now, they can expect and trust that An Garda Síochána will help. That should of course always be the case.
Any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls is a very serious issue. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. I am particularly concerned that anyone in a vulnerable position, including children, who summoned the courage to seek assistance may not have received it.
On foot of a request from Minister McEntee, the Policing Authority is overseeing the Garda review into this matter, which is ongoing. Once the Authority has completed its work, I will examine its conclusions, including insofar as it identifies calls from children as being amongst those cancelled. Any action that needs to be taken on foot of that report will be taken.
More generally, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda response to those contacting An Garda Síochána seeking assistance is governed by policy and procedures which recognise the specific requirements of children and young people. I am further advised, however, that the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, which is used to dispatch the appropriate available Garda response to emergency calls, does not record the age or any demographic details about the caller, and as such the breakdown requested by the Deputy cannot be provided. Any data which is gathered as part of the ongoing review will of course be made available in due course.
