Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019
148. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána working group has published its national strategy to deal with assaults against the person; if not, when the strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40745/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána in 2018 established a Working Group to formulate a National Strategy to Deal with Assaults against the Person. The first phase of this strategy involved the ‘Use Your Brain Not Your Fist’ national awareness campaign in July 2018.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Assaults in Public Reduction Strategy 2019- 2021 has now been approved by the Garda Executive and that implementation commenced on a national basis on 2 September, 2019 under the operational name ‘Operation Soteria’.
I understand that the assault reduction strategy uses Garda Síochána Analysis Service data to identify and target the primary locations where assaults are occurring. I am further informed that the strategy has been communicated throughout An Garda Síochána for implementation and that it will be under constant progress review by local and national Garda management.
