Jim O'Callaghan
Question:
496. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to the domestic abuse intervention unit in the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north as of 17 May 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27805/21]
View answer
I have contacted the Garda authorities to provide the information as requested by the Deputy. Unfortunately, this report was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question number 496 of 25 May 2021 where you asked for the number of Gardaí by rank attached to Domestic Abuse Intervention Unit in DMR north as of 17 May 2021.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the requested information was available.
As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that each Division within the Dublin Metropolitan Region have an established Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU).
In relation to the DMR North, there is a Divisional Protective Services Unit located in Santry Garda station which consists of one Inspector, four Sergeants and 19 Gardaí.
The Divisional Protective Services Unit provides a best practice service in relation to all domestic abuse incidents and interventions and are responsible for the quality and conduct of their investigations, including the regular updating of victims.
The Divisional Protective Services Unit is responsible for investigating the following crimes:
1. Aggravated Sexual Assault
2. Child Sexual Abuse
3. Historical Sexual Abuse
4. Interfamilial Sexual Abuse
5. Online Child Exploitation
6. Rape (Section 4)
7. Rape of a female
8. Sexual Assault
9. Sexual Offences involving protected/ relevant persons
10. Cases referred by Divisional Management Team (DMT). The case types for consideration include; Domestic Abuse & Human Trafficking involving sexual exploitation.
Separately, you may wish to be aware that a Domestic Abuse Co-ordination Team (DACT) was established in a District based in the DMR North Division in 2015 and is currently in the process of being established throughout the entire Division.
In addition, I am further advised that the DMR East Division commenced a pilot programme of the DACT initiative in early 2020, which commenced operations on 1 March 2020. The establishment of the DACT process in the DMR East has been a most positive development and has enhanced the Divisional response and approach to the governance; management; and support of high risk domestic violence victims.
Due to its effectiveness, the establishment of a DACT in other DMR Divisions is being considered by Garda management and a report has been forwarded to Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations to consider the national roll-out of the DACT initiative.
I trust this information is of assistance.
