Dáil debates

Wednesday, 25 June 2008

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

8:00 pm

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The framework document on the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, which the Minister published last week, identifies a wide number of issues that need to be addressed in the area of supporting victims of crime. Among these are the wide range of categories of victims requiring support and the uneven geographical spread of NGOs around the country with little or no presence in some parts of the country. While the support of victims can be met by the commitment of volunteers with a small amount of training, there is an increasing requirement for specialised training and specialist support. A significant number of applications for funding are for counselling services for victims of crime and I am aware, as Deputy McHugh would know coming from an isolated, rural community along the western seaboard, of the necessity of providing these services. The provision of information to victims and the operation of a court support or accompaniment service for victims of crime is also envisaged.

I particularly congratulate the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on bringing forward the justice for victims initiative, the most radical set of proposals for victims since the foundation of the State.

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