Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2006
252 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to combat violence against women; the measures he is taking in order to provide adequate care and protection for women here who are victims of violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33024/06]
View answerViolence against Women is a multifaceted issue requiring a multifaceted response from a number of Government Departments and Agencies. In the first instance, violence against women is a crime and, as such, must be processed in accordance with the criminal justice system, the policy for which is a responsibility of my Department. My Department also funds awareness raising initiatives which are delivered in the main by the Non-governmental Organisations which are active in the sector and it makes funding available for perpetrator programmes, again largely delivered by non-governmental Organisations which work with the perpetrators of this crime and with the victims in an effort to reduce repeat offending. It also makes some funding available for relevant research.
The victims of violence against women frequently require health care and personal social services which are delivered through or funded by the Health Service Executive. In addition the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government makes funding available for emergency accommodation and refuges for the victims of violence against women. The Department of Education and Science, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs via community groups, and the Department of Social and Family Affairs, via the Family Support Agency also have an involvement in responding to the problem of violence against women.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Equality within my Department chairs a multi-sectoral National Steering Committee on Violence against Women which co-ordinates the response across all sectors, in accordance with the recommendations of the Report of the Task Force on Violence against Women which reported in 1997. This Committee brings together the Government Departments and agencies charged with responding to the issue as well as representatives from a wide range of non-governmental organisations working with women who have suffered violence.
The work of the National Steering Committee is currently under review and a new Strategic Work Plan is being formulated to advance the work in the light of the achievements to date and our increased knowledge of the issues. I expect that review to be completed later this year.
