Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of persons, male and female, adults, adolescents and children reported missing and still without trace in each of the past ten years and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55691/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of persons, male and female, adults, adolescents and children listed as missing for more than ten years and still without trace; the extent to which such cases continue to come under investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55692/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table illustrates the total number of persons, including children, reported missing, and who remain untraced, in each of the past ten years up to and including 6 December, 2012.

All incidents where persons have been reported missing remain under investigation until such times as the person is located. An Garda Síochána reviews missing persons cases on a regular basis. The District Officer (Superintendent) in the area where persons have 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 Euorpol 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 that investigations are carried out in line with best international practice.