Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ensure the rollout across the State of the undertakings in relation to the interaction between members of An Garda Síochána and victims of crime contained in the Victims Charter and guide to the Criminal Justice System, which was launched in July 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24740/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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1Shortly after I was appointed Minister I told the Victims of Crime Consultative Forum that I wanted to see the Victims Charter implemented in full by all bodies contributing to the charter. The current edition of the Charter, which was published in July 2010, has been certified as being written in plain English to increase its accessibility. It is available online in Irish and six other languages. In the Charter, An Garda Síochána commits itself to the provision of information and a range of other supports to victims of crime.

In determining policing priorities for An Garda Síochána, the then Minister included support, protection and information for victims of crime as one of seven priorities for 2011.

An Garda Síochána has shown its commitment to implementing the Charter in a number of ways. I understand that Members of An Garda Síochána are trained to be courteous, helpful, respectful and professional. In circumstances where a victim is upset about a crime or other traumatic incident, members will respond in a caring and sensitive manner. When a victim reports a crime, An Garda Síochána is tasked with investigating the circumstances and gathering all of the evidence surrounding the incident in a fair, honest and impartial manner to bring those responsible to justice.

An Garda Síochána is of that view that the welfare and support of victims are central to the partnership between An Garda Síochána and community groups, statutory agencies and voluntary organisations.

I understand that in recognition of the special relationship that exists between victims of crime and An Garda Síochána, the Garda Victims Liaison Office was established to liaise with government funded victim support organisations, to formulate Garda policy and to support the implementation of the Garda Síochána Victims Charter.

I have been informed that in furtherance of the partnership with victims organisations, An Garda Síochána has hosted three National Victims Support Fora at Garda Headquarters at which the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime and victims organisations were advised of the initiatives and improvements in Garda services to victims of crime. The latest of these meetings took place earlier this month, with earlier meetings in March and November, 2010.

I understand An Garda Síochána was also represented at senior level at the meeting of the Victims of Crime Consultative Forum, to discuss implementation of the Victims Charter with victims group. That meeting of the Consultative Forum, which took place in September, 2010, had a single theme: "Making the Victims Charter Work". It was organised by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, an independent group operating under the aegis of my Department.

I understand that as part of the response capability of An Garda Síochána to deal with victims of serious crime, members of An Garda Síochána have been selected to undergo training as specialist interviewers of victims of sexual crime, crimes of violence or trafficking, who are under 14 years of age and persons with intellectual disabilities who are victims of those crimes. A number of dedicated interview suites designed to provide appropriate facilities for interviewing these victims are in operation at strategic locations throughout the country. The interview suites have the capacity to video-record witness statements in line with the provisions of section 16(1)(b) of the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992. This video evidence may be submitted to court when a trial occurs.

I am informed that posters and booklets of the Garda Síochána Victims Charter were designed, published and distributed to Garda Stations. This increased the awareness amongst members of the force of the Victims Charter and Garda responsibilities contained therein.

I understand that a working group was established at Garda Headquarters to oversee the standardising of the provision of relevant, timely information to Victims of Crime.

I am informed that the PULSE Garda computer system provides information letters for issue to victims of crime. In addition, PULSE now generates management reports on the number of automated PULSE generated letters. This has assisted local Garda managers identify gaps and has led to significant improvement in the number of PULSE letters issued to victims of crime.

I understand that specialised training, including for Family and Ethnic Liaison Officers, ensures vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime continue to receive a professional, empathetic response from An Garda Síochána.