Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

In response to the Deputy, it might be of interest to note the sexual crime management unit, which operates within the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is the unit with national responsibility for the monitoring of the implementation of Garda policies in respect of sexual crimes. This management unit is responsible for reviewing selected sexual crime investigations to ensure a consistent high standard of investigation throughout the State. The unit, which comprises 23 personnel, is headed by a detective superintendent and includes a detective inspector, four detective sergeants, 14 detective gardaí and three support staff. Additionally, in each Garda division, a Garda inspector has been appointed to monitor the implementation of the Garda Síochána policy to ensure the proper investigation of such crimes and uniform implementation of policy at district and divisional level. Further monitoring mechanisms are in place for local and senior Garda management to ensure such investigations are conducted professionally and expeditiously, with weekly reports produced by the PULSE IT system on the status of all investigations of sexual crime and child welfare incidents coming to the attention of the Garda Síochána, which assists the Garda management in ensuring the investigation of such crimes is conducted professionally and in a timely manner.

That said, the system now in place also ensures that in no part of the country are there any gaps in the context of necessary expertise required to investigate such crimes or in dealings with the victims of such crimes. Moreover, no recent changes that have been made, the Deputy made reference to the closure of stations, in any way substantially have an impact on the system that has been put in place in the context of implementing the Garda policy in this regard.

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