Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the delegates to the recent annual conference of the AGSI regarding the dire shortage of medical support available to the gardaí in many areas of the country and that as a result it was often difficult to get suitable medical back-up to take samples from suspects or to examine victims of rape or other serious crime; the steps he intends to take to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15654/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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My attention has been drawn to issues raised by delegates to the recent annual conference of the AGSI regarding the level of medical support available to the Garda Síochána in dealing with both crime suspects and victims of crime, especially rape or other sexual assaults.

The Irish Medical Organisation wrote to my Department in March of this year on these issues. Subsequently, the Garda Síochána met with the IMO regarding the provision of medical services to the force. These discussions focused on the need to enhance the provision of medical services currently available. Gardaí need to have medical personnel available for a variety of issues on a 24 hour basis, for example in the context of the treatment of persons detained at Garda stations. Arising from these discussions, the Commissioner has now made a submission to the Department setting the objective of a properly structured and effective medical service for the force. The Department will now engage with the relevant stakeholders with the aim of securing agreement on the arrangements necessary to achieve this.

On the very important issue of the availability of forensic medical services for victims of rape and other sexual assaults, I understand that the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women was party to a working group chaired by the Department of Health and Children on sexual assault treatment units. The report is due to be published shortly by that Department, and I will take any necessary action to appropriately address any resource requirements which arise from it relating to the provision of medical services to assist the Garda Síochána.