Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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652. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a crime can be reported to An Garda Síochána through its disability access officer; if not, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9909/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including operational matters. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.

The appointment of Access Officers is covered under Section 26 of the Disability Act 2005. This section places a requirement on the head of a public body to “authorise at least one of his or her officers to provide or arrange for and co-ordinate the provision of assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing its services”.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that since the introduction of the Disability Act 2005, an Inspector, based in Garda Employee Relations, Garda HRM, Phoenix Park in Dublin, has been the nominated Access Officer for An Garda Síochána. I am advised that this is not a full time position and the nominated Inspector is the only Access Officer for An Garda Síochána under the Act.

Any person wishing to report a crime should contact their local Garda Station, or if it is an emergency, by dialling 999 or 112. For the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or speech-impaired, a crime can be reported by SMS text message on 112. However, the phone number must first be registered on the 112 SMS service and it must only be contacted in the event of an emergency.

I am advised that the Garda Access Officer is contactable by phone and by email, however both of these services are only available during business hours Monday to Friday.

I am further advised that where a member of the public contacts the Garda Access Officer to report a crime, they are put in contact with their local Garda Station who will have the resources available to follow up on the investigation of the crime. This will include arranging for any special provisions to allow the person engage with local investigating officers.