Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
416. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the supports available to victims of assault in cases where prosecutions do not proceed, including where mental health issues arise in relation to the alleged perpetrator; and if additional supports are being considered in such circumstances. [46708/26]
View answerThe Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, which transposed the EU Victims’ Rights Directive into Irish law, sets out a framework of rights and entitlements for victims. This includes access to information, support services, and protection measures.
My Department continues to provide significant funding to organisations providing advocacy, counselling, accompaniment and practical supports to victims and their families. Under Budget 2026 more than €4.3 million has been allocated for this purpose.
These supports are available irrespective of whether a prosecution proceeds or results in a conviction. Victims may continue to access counselling, information and advocacy services where a case does not proceed, including in circumstances where issues relating to the mental health of an alleged perpetrator arise.
Earlier this month, the Council of the European Union and European Parliament formally adopted an amending Victims’ Rights Directive. Ireland actively engaged in negotiations on this Directive, aiming to ensure at EU level that supports for victims are further entrenched. In many respects, the enhanced provisions reflect practices that are already in place nationally under existing legislation and policy.
Ireland will be obliged to transpose the new Directive into Irish law by mid-2028. Officials in my Department will, as a matter of standard practice, review our victims’ rights legislation and policies during the transposition process. It is anticipated that this process will include consideration of whether additional guidelines or protocols are required to further improve cooperation and coordination in realising victims’ rights.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is also in place to help those who have suffered personal injuries because of a violent crime committed against them. The Scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal which is independent in making decisions on individual applications and in its decisions on appeals.
I recognise that such situations can be particularly difficult and distressing for victims. My Department keeps the adequacy of victim supports under ongoing review, including though engagement with the Victims Forum, a mechanism for state, social and community groups to discuss how best to work together to meet the needs of victims, and will continue to consider measures that may strengthen the assistance available to victims of crime and help them recover from the impact of offending.
Coming forward to report a crime can be a traumatic experience for victims and I am determined to do everything in my power to ensure that the criminal justice system empowers victims to have the confidence to report an offence, knowing they will be supported, informed, and treated respectfully for the entirety of the difficult journey they have to face.
Significant work has already been undertaken to improve victims’ experiences, including through the implementation of ‘Supporting a Victims Journey’; a detailed implementation plan to give effect to the recommendations made in the O'Malley Review, which was published in 2020.
Additionally, the 'Victims of Crime – Know Your Rights' campaign was launched in April of 2023 to inform victims of what to expect, what their legal rights are and the supports available at every step in the process when they engage with the justice system. The campaign directs people to the VictimsCharter.ie website, which sets out an individual's rights in an easily accessible manner and helps victims of crime to locate services and supports.
