Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime; if he has extended the operational life of the commission; and the arrangements he has made regarding membership of the commission to facilitate its continued work as and from 31 March 2008 being the original date up to which members of the commission were appointed. [13570/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My predecessor in Office appointed the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime (CSVC) for a three year period with effect from March 2005.

I wish to place on record my gratitude to them and that of the Government for the valuable public service that they have performed over this period. The CSVC is finalising work on proposing an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future. After meeting with the Commission late last year, I formed the view that this framework document will provide important insights into how support for victims of crime might be developed into the future. I propose, therefore, to await the outcome of the Commission's deliberations before deciding on what changes — if any — to present arrangements would be desirable. Pending finalisation of this process, I have decided to extend the term of Office of the Commission. I am happy to say that the members of the Commission have graciously indicated their willingness to remain in Office.