Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of Garda time employed in searching for and returning children who have been reported missing from the custody of the Health Services Executive; the steps that have taken to deal with the number of such children reported missing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13177/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Missing Persons Bureau attached to Garda Headquarters is responsible for data relating to missing persons. The District Officer (Superintendent) in the area where the person has been reported missing takes direct responsibility for all issues connected with the investigation in relation to the missing person.

Where any young person under 18 years of age is reported missing the Juvenile Liaison Officer for the area in which the young person resides is notified as soon as possible. The Juvenile Liaison Officer will on receipt of such information immediately communicate any information which he/she believes may be of benefit in tracing such missing persons.

Where the missing person is traced the Juvenile Liaison Officer will, unless otherwise directed, visit that young person and their parents, guardians or other responsible adults and offer appropriate assistance.

The Garda authorities are currently engaged with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in developing a protocol on handling cases where children who are the responsibility of the HSE are reported missing. It is the aim that this protocol will minimise the risk of harm to children when they are missing.and reduce the number of reports of children missing annually.

The calculation of the amount of Garda time employed in the search for and return of children who have been reported missing from the custody of the HSE would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources. However I am assured that the Garda authorities are satisfied that adequate resources are available for the investigation and monitoring of incidents where such persons are reported missing.