Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department is in a position to review an application for funding from an organisation (details supplied) wishing to establish a missing persons helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In March 2005, I established a new Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime to devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future and to disburse funding for victim support measures. The Commission is entirely independent in its decision making and examines each application on its merits. The Commission received an application from the Missing in Ireland Support Service for €71,600 to establish, staff and operate a helpline for missing persons. After careful consideration of the application the Commission decided to offer funding of €25,000; however, this offer was rejected by the Missing in Ireland Support Service. It should be borne in mind in this context that the Commission is charged with funding support services for victims of crime, and that, while some persons who are missing are crime victims, most are not.

The Commission advise me that no request has been made to them by the Missing in Ireland Support Service to review the funding as allocated in 2005 nor for funding in 2006.