Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 594: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the recommendations of the Future Structures and Services for Victims of Crime report which have not yet been implemented; the reason these recommendations have not yet been implemented; his plans to implement outstanding recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30403/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime submitted its Framework Document - Recommendations for Future Structures and Services for Victims of Crime to me in April, 2008. I accepted and implemented in full the recommendations made by the Commission in their Framework Document.

These included:

The establishment of the Victims of Crime Office, in September, 2008. This is an Executive Office of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which works to improve the continuity and quality of services to victims of crime, by state agencies and non-governmental organisations throughout the country. It supports the development of competent, caring and efficient services to victims of crime. It has a Director and its own staff;

The reconstitution of the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime - with a role to distribute funding to groups working with crime victims, as well as providing general oversight of services and promoting awareness;

The setting up by the Commission of a Victims of Crime Consultative Forum, representing victims' interests. The second meeting of the Consultative forum will take place next week.

Work is ongoing in the Commission and in the Victims of Crime Office to ensure that services for victims of crime are available regionally.