Frances Fitzgerald
Question:98 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, which has been made in the establishment of an Intergovernmental Committee on Domestic Violence. [16343/96]
Vol. 469 No. 1
98 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, which has been made in the establishment of an Intergovernmental Committee on Domestic Violence. [16343/96]
The office of the Tánaiste has been assigned responsibility, at central Government level, for co-ordinating action to deal with the problem of violence against women. The office has had discussions with relevant Government Departments and other interested groups on this issue. Arising from these contacts, it has been decided to establish a working group to develop a co-ordinated response and strategy on mental, physical or sexual violence against women — with a particular focus on domestic violence. The group will: examine existing services and supports — emergency, interim and long-term — for women who have been subjected to violence; examine legislation dealing with the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and make recommendations on how legislation, services and supports could be improved and made more effective.