Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 895: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are set procedures in assisting families involved in tragedies; and if there are procedures for Gardaí in one Garda district to contact a victims family in another Garda district. [19916/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Victims Charter entitled "Victims Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System" provides a written framework against which crime victims can measure the level and standard of treatment received in their dealings across all sections of the criminal justice system. It sets out, from the victim's perspective:

a general description of the overall criminal justice system

a concise summary of the role and functions of each of the main bodies/agencies involved

the entitlements of the victim in terms of standards of treatment, rights and complaints procedures in each area.

A guiding principle of the Victims Charter is a commitment to giving victims of crime a central place in the criminal justice system. As indicated in the Charter, victims of crime are entitled to dignity and compassion from all the services involved in supporting victims of crime.

Against a background of a need to review the mechanism and services put in place by specific agencies to assist victims my predecessor established the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime (CSVC) in March 2005. The members of the CSVC are:

Mr. Jim McHugh, retired Assistant Commissioner, An Garda Síochána, (Chairman)

Ms Nora Owen, former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Mr. Sean Lowry, former head of the Probation and Welfare Service,

Mr. Michael Whelan, Gemini Consulting,

Ms Marian Finucane, broadcaster.

The CSVC has a three year remit to disburse funding for victim support measures and to develop a framework for victim services going forward. Its remit also includes the examination of all aspects of the provision of services for victims of crime within the criminal justice system. The CSVC is at present carrying out a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the Victims Charter as part of its work programme.

In its first two and a half years, the CSVC concentrated mainly on funding non-governmental organisations that provide front-line services to victims of crime, in order to ensure continuity of services to victims on the ground To date, it has allocated close to €2million in funding to organisations engaged in providing support to victims of crime. Such funding ranges from €4,000 to the smaller voluntary groups to €100,000 per annum to the large well established non-governmental organisations.

Over the period CSVC has provided an allocation of funding amounting to €85,000 to Support After Homicide (SAH) — a non-governmental organisation which aims to provide emotional support and practical information to people whose lives have been affected by homicide. Funding has also been provided to AdVIC in the amount of €35,000. AdVIC is another non-governmental organisation which was formed to ensure that the rights of families of homicide victims are not ignored within the Criminal Justice System and to bring about a fairer legal system for such families.

As I understand it, the CSVC has recognised that one of the primary functions that an organisation supporting victims of crime can provide to a victim is support by way of accompaniment, where the victim has to attend Court. Such support can make a real difference to the experience that victim has in court, and of court processes. In this regard, the CSVC prioritised the funding of activities at ground level that provide supports for victims of crime, such as court accompaniment services.

In addition to the disbursement of funds to organisations that support victims of crime, the CSVC is required to devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future. I am informed that the CSVC is currently actively engaged in this work. The CSVC was also tasked with updating the Victims Charter and that process is currently under way.

As the Deputy will be aware, as early as my first public engagement as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I announced my intention of moving ahead immediately with measures to enhance support for victims of crime, consistent with the commitment contained in our Programme for Government.

I am also informed that An Garda Síochána has set out its policy and procedures that apply where members of the public are victimised as a result of crime and other traumatic incidents that require Garda intervention. Garda Family Liaison Officers are appointed to keep victim's families informed of the progress of the investigation and to ensure that they are afforded appropriate and relevant emotional, psychological, informational and practical support. The District Officer will appoint a Garda Family Liaison Officer to families of victims who have been or are being subjected to emotional or psychological trauma relating to:

Homicide

Kidnappings

False imprisonment

Hostage siege situations

Crime (other than above) where violence or an immediate threat of violence has been visited upon the family

Suicide and road traffic fatalities.

In cases of homicide the District Officer will initially assume the role of 'Garda Family Liaison Officer'. As the case progresses the role will be delegated to a nominated Garda Family Liaison Officer whom the District Officer is satisfied, has the necessary skills, experience and competence. Garda Family Liaison Officers will also advise family members of support services available through the Crime Victims Helpline 1850 211 407.

The Garda Charter for Victims of Crime sets out the services and service delivery standards which An Garda Síochána is committed to delivering to victims. The charter is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie.

A Superintendent has been appointed to the position of Family Liaison Officer at Community Relations, Garda Headquarters, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2. Formal training of Garda Family Liaison Officers is ongoing at the Garda College and is being rolled out nationwide. Where the victim's family resides in another Garda district, the investigating officer will make the appropriate arrangements to contact the victim's family and keep them informed of the progress of the investigation.