Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of persons listed as missing and reported as such in each of the past five years to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6931/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of women and children reported and listed as missing in this country at present; the extent to which investigations are on-going in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6933/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 410 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the number of persons reported missing in each of the years from 2007 to 2011 and who remain untraced, up to and including 3 February 2012.

*Figures provided are operational and liable to change

I am further informed that 44 women and 319 children were reported missing in the State from 2000 to 2011 who remain untraced as at 2 February, 2012.

All incidents where persons have been reported missing remain under investigation until such time as the person is located. An Garda Síochána reviews missing persons cases on a regular basis. 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 Interpol and Europol 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. The Garda authorities are satisfied that adequate resources, including staff and technology, are in place to deal with this issue and investigations are carried out in line with international best practice.