Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons currently recorded under the heading of missing persons; the extent to which their cases are being monitored; the degree to which breakthrough is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43344/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the numbers of persons reported missing each year since 2001 and who remain untraced, up to and including 31 October, 2010.

Figures provided are operational and liable to change.

I am further informed that all incidents where persons have been reported missing remain under investigation until such time as the person is located. The District Officer (Superintendent) in the area where a person has gone missing takes direct responsibility for all investigations and searches carried out. Local investigation teams are appointed by the District Officer, and all means necessary, including the services of specialist units, are deployed to assist in these investigations, as considered appropriate. The services of Europol and Interpol can also be availed of during such investigations, if necessary.

The Garda Missing Persons Bureau, which is responsible for all data relating to missing persons, provides expert assistance and advice to District Officers in all high risk missing person cases. Appropriate training is provided to Garda personnel to facilitate them in effectively carrying out their functions in relation to missing persons. Further training initiatives have been undertaken over the years. In addition there have been contacts with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington, the FBI Academy, the New York Missing Persons Bureau and the New York City Coroners Department with a view to examining techniques used in the US and with the PSNI. The experience gained by An Garda Síochána in this way has been invaluable in their work in dealing with missing persons.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that adequate resources, including staff and technology resources, are in place to deal with missing persons cases in line with best international practice.