Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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141. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a victim (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41028/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, let me say how sorry I am to hear about the incident suffered by the individual referred to by the Deputy.

Support for victims of crime is at the forefront of the work of my Department. I welcome the coming into force of the European Union Victims Directive on 16 November. I believe that the Directive represents a significant change in the way that victims will be dealt with as they make their way through the criminal justice system. It provides for information to be given to victims from first contact with the criminal justice agencies. It provides for much additional information to be given in the course of the investigation and court process if the person opts in to receive that information. This is key to empowering victims.

The Directive also provides that victims of crime will be able to receive an individual assessment to identify victim’s specific protection needs; access victim support services; enjoy safeguards in the context of restorative justice services; access protection and enjoy privacy in the context of the criminal proceedings.

The criminal justice agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, have been working to provide a service to victims in line with the standard set out in the Victims Directive.

I also secured an extra 21% for the 2016 budget to fund services to victims of crime via a scheme administered by the Victims of Crime Office in my Department which will assist those organisations in implementing the Directive.

As well as the administrative policies and procedures already put in place by various criminal justice agencies to give effect to the Directive, legislation to transpose the Victims Directive into Irish law is currently being drafted as a priority in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Bill is expected to be published shortly and it will be enacted as soon as possible after that.

In terms of the injuries received in circumstances of a criminal nature, I wish to inform the Deputy of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal which administers the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted. The Tribunal considers applications from people who suffer a personal injury or death as a result of a crime of violence. Ex gratiacompensation may be awarded on the basis of any vouched out of pocket expenses, including loss of earnings, experienced by the victim or, if the victim has died as a result of the incident, by the dependants of the victim. Further information and copies of the Scheme's application forms may found on my Department's website and can be accessed via the following website .

With regard to the Deputy's question concerning the health services received by the individual concerned, my colleague, the Minister for Health, has arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact the Minister for Health's Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Finally, I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report in relation to the particular case referred to by the Deputy . I will reply further to the Deputy when that information becomes available.