Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
123. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the way that An Garda Síochána is strengthening the resources it deploys to tackle violence against women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16192/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for directing and controlling An Garda Síochána and for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.
I can assure the Deputy that both Commissioner Harris and I are committed to combatting all forms of domestic violence and to ensuring that the Service is resourced to support victims of this terrible crime.
As the Deputy may be aware, the national roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) was an action under Supporting a Victim's Journey, and it has now been completed.
An Garda Síochána has now established a Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) established in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, presenting to Gardaí are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
This specialisation will ensure that when victims of domestic and sexual violence present to Gardaí, at perhaps their most vulnerable moment, they are met with professional and expert assistance.
Under Budget 2022, an additional €1m is being provided to AGS to refurbish and upgrade the Divisional Protective Service Units. This commitment will allow us to better support and protect vulnerable victims.
In addition, the Divisional Victim Service Offices (DVSO) and front line Gardaí are also resources available to respond to domestic violence and support victims.
To be of assistance to the Deputy I contacted the Garda authorities to seek information on matters related to domestic violence training for the Service, both for those officers attached to DPSUs and to members generally. I am informed that significant investment in training for addressing instances of domestic violence and supporting victims has, and is, being made.
I am advised that in 2021, An Garda Síochána devised mandatory online training for its personnel in the area of Domestic Abuse. This is a comprehensive training package consisting of instructor led videos presented by subject matter experts from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB).
It also includes periodic knowledge checks and supporting materials. Furthermore, live webinar virtual classroom sessions in relation to the Domestic Abuse Risk Evaluation Training is currently being rolled out to Garda personnel on a phased basis, hosted by subject matter experts from GNPSB.
I am further advised that the Domestic Abuse Risk Evaluation Tool is a tool utilised by An Garda Síochána to aid a decision-making process through which members of An Garda Síochána determine the best course of action when responding to domestic abuse related calls by estimating, identifying, qualifying or quantifying risk. The Domestic Abuse Risk Evaluation Tool is currently in use in the North Western and Southern Garda Síochána Regions, and is in the process of being rolled out in the remaining Garda regions on a phased basis.
A separate online course, which consists of instructor led demonstration videos on the correct use of PULSE in dealing with Domestic Violence Orders has also been launched.
In addition, new content has been included on the Foundation Training Programme with a view to enhancing the learning for Garda Probationers during the course of their training.
While those assigned to the DPSU already receive specialist training, a review of this is currently underway and with a view to redeveloping the DPSU training to ensure an even more customised, fit-for-purpose and victim-centric training course is delivered to all DPSU members from Detective Garda to Detective Inspector.
To this end GNPSB have completed a nationwide canvass with a view to determining training needs and it has been established that there are 392 members of Garda, Sergeant and Inspector rank attached to Divisional Protective Services Units nationwide. Training was delivered in 5 individual modules titled as follows:
1. Sexual Crime;2. Online Child Exploitation;3. Domestic Abuse;4. Human Trafficking and Victims;5. Court Process.
The initial position in respect of the DPSU training requirement, is that anyone who has not completed all five modules of this training will be required to undertake the new training programme that will be ready for delivery by Q2, 2022.
The proposed training programme is expected to enhance the skills of DPSU members, to ensure that each one can carry out the full range of specialist tasks frequently necessitated within their roles.
