James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide support services such as mental health supports for members of An Garda Síochána to ensure their well-being; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12312/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Commissioner is committed to providing a positive and supportive working environment for all Garda personnel. To support this An Garda Síochána provides a Garda Employment Assistance Service. This is a confidential and professional service which provides supports for the welfare and health, including mental health, of personnel and their families. In addition there is a peer supporter network in place made up of in the region of 840 peer supporters who are Garda colleagues appropriately trained to help members following a traumatic incident in the work place.

I understand from the Garda Commissioner that plans are well advanced for the establishment of an independent 24-7 counselling service for all personnel. The counselling will include a telephone and referral service which will allow for a number of face-to-face counselling sessions for each person. The service will provide counselling on a wide range of work and personal related issues including, but not limited to, critical incidents, trauma, financial, relationship, addiction, bereavement, stress, conflict and health issues.