Dáil Éireann - Volume 475 - 27 February, 1997

Written Answers. - Missing Persons.

49. Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Justice the services provided to families and relatives of missing persons by her Department; the voluntary agencies which are involved in providing services for the relatives of missing persons; the number of missing persons reported in each of the past three years; the number which have subsequently turned up; the number still officially missing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5475/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen): I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Number of Persons

Year

Missing

Traced

Not traced

1994

1,578

1,565

13

1995

1,444

1,432

12

1996

1,848

1,840

08

A number of agencies provide assistance to the families and relatives of missing persons including the Garda Síochána and the Central Authority for Child Abduction (Department of Equality and Law Reform) as well as a number of voluntary community organisations.