Written answers

Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Victims of Crime

10:00 pm

Photo of Tom SheahanTom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the garda superintendent will liaise with a group (details supplied) regarding referrals and the direct garda referral via the liaison garda will continue for the group. [42235/08]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As I already advised in response to Parliamentary Question No. 866 put down by Deputy Shatter in June 2008 it is Garda Síochána policy to provide the best service possible to victims of crime. The Garda Síochána make victims of crime aware of the National Crime Victims Helpline and the support services available nationally and specific to their location. In Kerry this would include The South Kerry Support for Victims of Crime Group. This is one of the groups in the Kerry area funded by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime.

Disclosure of personal data held by the Garda Síochána to non-Garda personnel is governed by the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. The general rule is that there is a prohibition on the disclosure of personal data to third parties unless the disclosure is compatible with the purpose or purposes for which the data was obtained. I am aware that as an organisation the Garda Síochána takes its responsibility for the control of the data it processes about individuals very seriously. This is to ensure no unauthorised disclosures are made. The prohibition on disclosure is lifted in certain restricted cases, including where such disclosure is made at the request of, or with the consent of, the data subject. Where a victim explicitly requests a Garda to contact a support organisation for them it would be possible, from a data protection point of view, for the Garda to do so. However, it is a matter for the individual to choose which support service, if any, to avail of.

The National Crime Victims Helpline, which is also funded by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, acts as a first port of call for victims. The Helpline is there to listen, inform and where necessary, to refer a victim to support services in their local area. For example, during 2007 the Helpline received 1,963 requests from members of the public for information and/or assistance. In 2007 the Helpline was able to deal with approximately 80% of their contacts without the need for further referral to local support services. I understand that the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime has commissioned further research into the support needs of victims of crime and the factors involved in the demand for such support services. I welcome this initiative by the Commission, and look forward to its findings.

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