Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
302. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the status of the implementation of the recommendations included in the audit of structures for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47335/21]
View answerI, and my Government colleagues, are deeply committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
The independent audit into how responsibility for DSGBV is segmented across Government is an important piece of work that will, as the Deputy may be aware, inform the design of the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Minister O’Gorman and I agreed on foot of the publication of the audit in July, and in line with its key recommendations, that the Department of Justice will continue to have lead policy responsibility for DSGBV. We also recognise that the policy and operational responses of a number of other Ministers and agencies will continue to be crucial in meeting the Government’s commitment to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
We have also agreed that other recommendations in the audit should be considered as part of the development of the Third National Strategy on DSGBV.
This new strategy will place a priority on prevention and reduction and will include a National Preventative Strategy. I am determined it will be the most ambitious to date and will be published before the end of the year. The strategy will build on the experience of the last two strategies, the learning from the priority given to this work during the pandemic and the commitment and expertise of all bodies involved.
The audit outcome, the current review of accommodation needs undertaken by Tusla and the ongoing work of implementing Supporting a Victim's Journey, will all feed into the development of the next National Strategy on DSGBV.
It is my intention to have a draft strategy ready for a further round of public consultation in the coming weeks.
