I am committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms, and to ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our communities.
I recently published Zero Tolerance: the Third National Strategy to Combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV).
The goal of our third national strategy is clear: zero tolerance in Irish society for any form of domestic violence. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it.
As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána play a vital role in how we, as a State, work together to combat domestic violence and support victims.
All Gardaí are trained as first responders so they are equipped to deal with victims, including victims of domestic violence.
It is important to note also that An Garda Síochána has now established a Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, presenting to Gardaí are met with specially trained Gardaí who can provide a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
A search of the PULSE database was conducted by An Garda Síochána on the 29th August 2022 for Domestic Violence Act Orders which were issued during the period 01/01/2021 – 28/08/2022.
The number of Domestic Violence Act Orders is shown below by year and division in the table below.
Division
|
2021
|
2022*
|
Grand Total
|
Cavan/Monaghan
|
313
|
212
|
525
|
Clare
|
279
|
195
|
474
|
Cork City
|
572
|
385
|
957
|
Cork North
|
390
|
170
|
560
|
Cork West
|
145
|
110
|
255
|
D.M.R. Eastern
|
333
|
226
|
559
|
D.M.R. North Central
|
340
|
217
|
557
|
D.M.R. Northern
|
1177
|
771
|
1948
|
D.M.R. South Central
|
237
|
179
|
416
|
D.M.R. Southern
|
869
|
588
|
1457
|
D.M.R. Western
|
1320
|
839
|
2159
|
Donegal
|
203
|
152
|
355
|
Galway
|
497
|
378
|
875
|
Kerry
|
216
|
155
|
371
|
Kildare
|
371
|
273
|
644
|
Kilkenny/Carlow
|
328
|
215
|
543
|
Laois/Offaly
|
428
|
269
|
697
|
Limerick
|
425
|
386
|
811
|
Louth
|
390
|
259
|
649
|
Mayo
|
137
|
97
|
234
|
Meath
|
549
|
296
|
845
|
Roscommon/Longford
|
298
|
166
|
464
|
Sligo/Leitrim
|
171
|
98
|
269
|
Tipperary
|
310
|
248
|
558
|
Waterford
|
311
|
215
|
526
|
Westmeath
|
231
|
174
|
405
|
Wexford
|
417
|
280
|
697
|
Wicklow
|
442
|
226
|
668
|
Grand Total
|
11699
|
7779
|
19478
|
*Up to 28/08/2022
I am informed that data above is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available at 01:00 on 29/08/2022 and is liable to change.