Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
537. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether a specialist domestic violence unit may be warranted in view of the cancellation of domestic violence calls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48256/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is responsible, under the Act, for the deployment of Gardaí throughout the State, which includes the allocation of resources to the various national, regional and specialist units within An Garda Síochána.
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.
For the Deputy's information, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (NPSB) provides advice, guidance and assistance to Gardaí investigating the following:
- Sexual crime;
- Online child exploitation;
- Child protection;
- Domestic abuse intervention;
- Human trafficking;
- Organised prostitution;
- Sex offender management;
- Missing persons;
- Missing persons in care;
- Support for victims of crime.
The Bureau takes the lead in the investigation of more complex cases. The Bureau also liaises with relevant Government Departments, State bodies and voluntary groups, embracing an essential multi-agency approach to tackling these crimes and their causes. Primary considerations in these cases are the protection and welfare of the victims, while ensuring the proper investigation of the alleged activities.
As the Deputy may be aware, each Garda Division now also has a dedicated Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) in place. DPSUs provide 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.
