Written Answers Nos. 154-173
154. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance claim in view of the circumstances in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23361/23]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Firstly, I understand the care recipient has passed away and my Department offers sincere condolences to the bereaved family.
I can confirm that an application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned on 21 April 2023.
The application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector on 25 April 2023 to determine the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are satisfied.
Once the Social Welfare Inspector has reported regarding the relevant conditions remaining, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
155. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing those who are paying Class S PRSI to make additional voluntary contributions to allow them access to illness benefit, given the increased awareness and necessity for persons to isolate when ill from many illnesses, and the increasing number of persons in this group who are on low or middle incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23381/23]
View answerSelf-employed workers whose income is €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable to pay social insurance contributions at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. Such contributors are currently covered for a wide range of social insurance benefits including State pension (contributory), widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity, adoptive and paternity benefits, treatment benefits, invalidity pension, partial capacity benefit if in receipt of invalidity pension, jobseeker’s benefit (self-employed) and parent’s benefit.
Since 2017, self-employed contributors have gained access to a number of social insurance benefits such as invalidity pension, treatment benefit, jobseeker's benefit (self-employed), paternity and parent's benefit, without any increase in their rate of contribution. With respect to the level of contribution to the social insurance fund by self-employed workers, they are now covered for most of the social insurance benefits available - representing approximately 93% of the value of all available benefits - in return for a contribution of 11 percentage points lower than that made in respect of employed contributors.
In view of the significant increased access to a range of social insurance benefits in recent years, without any associated increase in the rate of contribution by self-employed workers, access to the remaining benefits, including illness benefit, would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the context of any future proposals for changes to social insurance contribution rates to underpin the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
156. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to her Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23414/23]
View answerBelow is the breakdown of expenditure for the Department of Social Protection's suppliers of cleaning services that were provided in 2021, 2022 and 2023 YTD.
|
DSP Cleaning Expenditure |
||||
|
Suppliers |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 YTD |
Grand Total |
|
Bunzl Ireland |
300,680 |
64,157 |
19,706 |
384,544 |
|
Emerald Facility Services |
|
2,225 |
3,473 |
5,698 |
|
Grosvenor Cleaning Services Ltd |
4,121,510 |
3,503,089 |
1,013,968 |
8,638,567 |
|
O'MEARA'S |
168 |
334 |
162 |
664 |
|
R&B Burke Catering Services |
16,562 |
11,416 |
|
27,978 |
|
Rentokil Initial Ltd. |
40,679 |
44,308 |
28,497 |
113,484 |
|
Stephens Catering Equipment Ltd. |
123 |
|
|
123 |
|
Superb Facilities Service Ltd |
|
9,346 |
14,535 |
23,881 |
|
Tech Catering Equipment Ltd |
599 |
|
|
599 |
|
Grand Total |
4,480,321 |
3,634,875 |
1,080,342 |
9,195,538 |
157. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Citizens Information Board will publish its Citizens Information Service Advocacy Annual Report for 2022; when the CIB will publish its new strategic plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23472/23]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, funds and supports the eight regional companies of the Citizens Information Service (CIS).
CIB informs me that it is currently drafting the CIS Advocacy Annual Report for 2022. This report is expected to be published in late July 2023.
With regard to a new strategic plan, CIB has developed a new draft Strategy and it is expected that it will be published by July of this year.
158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by her Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23589/23]
View answerThe capital allocation for my Department is primarily used to deliver IT modernisation and carry out refurbishments on the Department’s buildings.
With the exception of Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, all of the buildings used by the Department of Social Protection are owned or leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Expenditure on art works as part of significant capital programmes would be a matter for the OPW.
159. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of people within the prison population who have foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; the awareness training for staff in relation to foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23260/23]
View answerI am advised that the Prison Services Psychology Service would complete an assessment for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum if they had a concern about an individual's history and presentation.
The healthcare records of patients in the custody of the Irish Prison Service are recorded on an individual patient basis on the Prisoner Healthcare Management System (PHMS). Each Prisoner’s individual record is recorded in a narrative fashion and it is not possible to extract a global report from PHMS to product a summary of medical conditions or issues for which people have received medical treatment.
While there is currently no awareness training in relation to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum available for staff of the Irish Prison Service, these matters are kept under continual review.
160. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the progress his Department has made on implementing the legal reforms suggested under the EU/IMF restructure programme. [23291/23]
View answerThe EU-IMF-ECB (Troika) Programme of financial support for Ireland 2011-2014, required a number of actions by my Department.
The Legal Services Regulation Act of 2015 was one of the undertakings in support of structural reform, national competitiveness and economic recovery under the EU/IMF/ECB Memorandum of Understanding on Specific Economic Policy Conditionality of 28th November 2010. The Bill was one of a series of competing legislative priorities which had to be met in support of national recovery.
In more specific terms the Act delivered our Troika undertakings to establish an independent regulator for the legal profession; to implement the recommendations of the Legal Costs Working Group, and to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Competition Authority to reduce legal costs.
As the Deputy will be aware, the independent Legal Services Regulatory Authority was established in October 2016 to regulate and oversee the provision of legal services by legal practitioners and to ensure the maintenance and improvement of standards in the provisions of those services. The Authority is now fully operational as a key component of the ongoing reform of legal services and legal costs in the State. Complaints against legal professionals, both solicitors and barristers, are now being made to the Authority rather than through the legal professional bodies as happened previously. Separately, where appropriate, this work feeds into the new and independent Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT)
The separate establishment of the Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators to modernise the old Taxing-Master regime has been completed by the Courts Service. This is supported, for the first time in legislation, by a transparent Schedule of Legal Costs Principles and a publicly accessible Register of Determinations, which is maintained by the new Office.
The necessary legislative amendment required to allow the introduction of Legal Partnerships (partnerships between barristers and between solicitors and barristers) is included in the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill currently progressing through the Oireachtas. The LSRA will be responsible for the regulated roll-out of this new business model once commenced.
The new and more consumer-friendly legal costs transparency requirements on legal practitioners, whether solicitors or barristers, have also come into force.
The Advisory Committee on the Grant of Patents of Precedence, which considers candidates to become Senior Counsel – be they solicitors or barristers – has been established with the administrative support of the Authority while chaired by the Chief Justice in its own right. The first grant of patents was made by Government on 1st September 2020. The third appointment process through this Committee in 2022 resulted in 34 recommendations, which were approved by Cabinet on 21st June 2022. The fourth process of this kind closed for applications on 18th February 2023 and the Advisory Committee is expected to make recommendations to Government shortly in that regard.
Following receipt of the LSRA’s statutory reports on the Unification of the Legal Professions and on the Provision of Legal Professional Training and Education, my Department sought a further report by the Authority in relation to the economic and other barriers facing newly qualified barristers and solicitors. Particular attention was to be given to equity of access and entry into the legal professions and the objective of achieving greater diversity within the professions.
On 31st March 2022, the Authority submitted a report to my Department outlining the findings of its research in this area. A further Report, including recommendations, will be submitted to me on this topic in 2023 by the Authority.
The LSRA is currently working on a statutory report relating to the creation of a new profession of Conveyancer which will also be submitted to me later in 2023.
In May 2022, my Department published the Civil Justice Efficiencies and Reform Implementation Plan, which sets out the actions and timeframes to give effect to the recommendations of the Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice (Kelly Report), mapping out how this significant reform to civil law will be achieved. The implementation plan sets out how these recommendations will be implemented and by whom – all with the goal of enabling easier, cheaper and quicker access to civil justice. The actions in the plan are aligned to the major themes emerging from the Kelly recommendations which are being implemented across seven key work streams including to consider and advance measures to reduce the costs of litigation, including costs to the State.
161. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the measures being introduced to tackle the illegal drug trade across Ireland. [23293/23]
View answerI want to assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the devastating impact that illegal drugs and drug dealing have on communities across the country and I have discussed these concerns with the Garda Commissioner and his senior team on a number of occasions since my appointment as Minister.
Tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups and by members of the public who, through their drug taking fuel this illegal and very harmful trade, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government.
The Government is committed to taking a number of direct actions to tackle this, including:
• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug-related crime; and
• Introducing new legislation which will criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime, which was initiated in the Dáil in January of this year.
An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing across the country. Operation Tara also focuses on disrupting and dismantling the drug trafficking networks that impact on our communities and prosecuting those involved at every level.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) has had significant, sustained success in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups with over €302 million worth of drugs seized in the period of 2016 to Q1 2023.
162. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the supports being provided to a location (details supplied); if, in light of additional demands on domestic abuses service, he will ensure funding increases as part of Budget 2024; and if he will commit to funding a new purpose building for the location without delay. [23301/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.
As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.
163. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if he will implement a mechanism for those resident in Ireland to apply for a family reunification visa on behalf of family members who are fleeing Sudan, given that there is currently no Irish embassy in Sudan. [23304/23]
View answerI am very conscious of the grave humanitarian crisis in Sudan. I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Sudanese community and their loved ones and I can assure you that all current immigration avenues remain open for new applications, including visa and family reunification applications.
My Department will process any new applications received speedily and sympathetically and, with the Department of Foreign Affairs, is also working closely with all EU member states to ensure a coherent EU response to events in Sudan.
The Embassy in Nairobi and the Department of Foreign Affairs are maintaining contact with and advising Irish citizens and their families still in Sudan. Consular teams in the region continue to work with people as they are evacuated, helping to arrange accommodation when needed and supporting and advising and assisting on onward arrangements.
For those seeking further information the Department recommends that citizens should follow the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya on Twitter (@IrlEmbKenya) for updated advice.
164. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) can expect a response to their application for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23350/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
The median processing time for applications now currently stands at 19 months. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
165. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23411/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below.
|
Vendor Name |
Paid in 2021 |
Paid in 2022 |
Paid in 2023 (to date) |
|
Grosvenor |
€451,309.60 |
€548,373.90 |
€159,703.02 |
|
Derrycourt |
€415,573.18 |
€289,101.35 |
€75,708.90 |
|
Momentum |
€40,508.94 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Emerald |
€103,654.32 |
€122,228.82 |
€43,035.33 |
|
Bivest Noonan |
€7,009.76 |
N/A |
€4,673.93 |
166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to each divisional drugs unit as of 11 May 2023, in tabular form. [23428/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am, however, assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of crime trends and policing priorities.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose policing service, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of April 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 332 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide. This represents an increase of almost 7% since end December 2022 when there were 311 Garda members assigned to these units.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the total number of Garda members assigned to each Divisional drugs unit at the end of April 2023. Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
|
Divisional Drugs Units |
Inspector |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Clare |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
1 |
18 |
19 |
|
Cork North |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Cork West |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
D.M.R.E. |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
D.M.R.N. |
0 |
4 |
20 |
24 |
|
D.M.R.N.C |
0 |
3 |
26 |
29 |
|
D.M.R.S. |
0 |
3 |
22 |
25 |
|
D.M.R.S.C. |
1 |
0 |
13 |
14 |
|
D.M.R.W. |
0 |
3 |
22 |
25 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Galway |
0 |
2 |
20 |
22 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
2 |
13 |
15 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
1 |
10 |
11 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
0 |
1 |
9 |
10 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
3 |
19 |
22 |
|
Louth |
1 |
2 |
9 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Meath |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
2 |
10 |
12 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
11 |
11 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Total |
3 |
40 |
289 |
332 |
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
167. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that have been received for the Garda trainee recruitment campaign 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23470/23]
View answer171. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that were received for the Garda recruitment campaign 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23625/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 171 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters.
As the Deputy will also be aware An Garda Síochána launched a new recruitment campaign on 24 March and closed on 14 April 2023.
This year’s campaign, which was shorter in duration than the 2022 campaign attracted 4,973 applicants. While there was some pent up demand last year due to the pause in Garda recruitment due to COVID, this level of interest is in line with 2019, the last pre COVID recruitment campaign, and demonstrates the demand to join AGS is as strong as ever.
The initial stage of the application process for this year’s campaign also differed to the 2022 campaign with all applicants filling out an application in the first instance, rather than just declaring an interest. This gives a clearer picture of how many people are fully committed to applying this year.
I would like to encourage anyone called as part of the 2022 or 2023 competition not to defer but to make sure they’re fully fit and ready to take up the opportunity.
168. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the current remuneration scales for a sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23476/23]
View answerThe Coroner Service provides an important service to next of kin and society in general in seeking to explain the causes of death in those instances which are reportable by law.
Section 9 of the Coroners Act, 1962 provides for the payment by the Local Authorities of a salary to the Coroners. This salary has been fixed from time to time after consultation between the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage.
The Dublin coronial district is an exception to the above as the salary for the Coroner to the Dublin District is set by the Minister for Justice.
Coroners are remunerated on the basis of a fees per item, and a basic retainer.
Retainer
Grade 1 - €21,744.00
Grade 2 - €17,932.00
Grade 3 - €12,807.00
The level of retainer paid varies according to case load. The figures for annual retainers incorporate staffing, accommodation and general office costs.
Fee per Item
Death reported - €129.68
Deaths certified following post mortem - €188.54
Death certified following post mortem and inquest - €522.97
169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23586/23]
View answerThe Per-Cent for Arts scheme provides for a prescribed funding allocation to be made from capital budgets to support public arts schemes. The scheme is not applied directly at Departmental level and funds are not released directly from the Department's budget. The Office of Public Works manages capital projects on behalf of the Department and the scheme is applied at individual project level by the OPW in consultation with the Department and relevant Sponsoring Agency.
My Department is represented on the National Per Cent for Arts Committee, led by the Arts Council under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Gaeltacht, Arts, Sport and Media. Members of the Committee are working towards harmonisation of the scheme and agreeing a consistent approach on the practical application of the scheme, in order to maximise its benefits to the Arts and to society.
170. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice in respect of a recent media report (details supplied), if he accepts that the 22 reports referred to, which the administrators gave to the court, should be publicly available; if these documents are in the possession of his Department; if so will he make them available; if they are not, if he will take steps to require the court to make copies publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23617/23]
View answerManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Documents of this nature are held by the Courts Service. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
172. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a schedule by year, amount and organisation in respect of the funding his Department has issued for the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. [23627/23]
View answerTackling Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) is an absolute priority for me as Minister for Justice.
This includes focusing on prevention and on providing victim-centred supports and services and implementing the €363 million Zero Tolerance plan.
Under Budget 2023, an extra €9 million was secured, a 22% increase, for combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence. This will also support the implementation of Zero Tolerance our Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
This €9 million includes increased funding of €7 million for organisations funded by TUSLA to address acute service demands in existing services throughout the country, and for investment in new services as outlined in Zero Tolerance. This funding also strengthens the nationwide supports, and will help to maintain the momentum in implementing the ambitious goals set out in the national strategy.
In total, this year, Tusla has been allocated €37 million for funding DSGBV services which includes the additional €7 million in funding secured by my Department. I have referred this question to Tusla for direct answer in respect of the breakdown of this funding allocation for this year and for the provision of information in relation to funding provided in preceding three years.
Separate to the funding provided for DSGBV services, this year the Department of Justice has allocated €6.09 million for measures to tackle DSGBV, including through awareness raising campaigns and funding for perpetrator programmes.
My Department has also allocated a further €5.8 million in funding to promote and assist the development of specific support services for victims of crime within the criminal justice system, which includes victims of domestic and sexual crime.
In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy on the breakdown of this funding allocation, I will respond directly to the Deputy with the breakdown requested for 2020 to 2023 as soon as the information has been compiled.
173. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he has established a dedicated group in his Department that focuses on sexual violence and the prevention of same; if his Department collates and monitors the records instances of sexual and gender-based violence; and if he will provide a breakdown of instances by gender for the past two years to date. [23628/23]
View answerLead responsibility for policy in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence lies with the Criminal Justice Policy function in my Department. The Policy function leads on the development of national policy on specific themes and drafts, consults on and manages the negotiation and approval of EU/International and applied policies.
The Community Safety Policy team has responsibility, inter alia, for the development of policy that responds to the new and emerging challenges facing the domestic, sexual and gender based violence sector. It is this team that was responsible for coordinating the development of Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence and they are the main point of contact point for NGOs, including in relation to the monitoring and implementation of the Strategy.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Strategy was co-designed with the DSGBV sector and it fully recognises the need for a whole of government, whole of society, approach to tackling all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
The Community Safety Policy team gather insight from relevant stakeholders and NGOs, undertake research, look at international best practice and examine emerging trends. They also engage on relevant issues at EU/ International level, including in relation to legislative negotiations, as well as providing updates on potential impacts on the domestic, sexual and gender based violence sector.
My Department is very aware of the need for robust data in relation to the prevalence of sexual violence and that is why, in 2017, we requested the CSO to develop and undertake a nationally representative survey to provide high quality national prevalence data on sexual violence in Ireland.
The results of that survey have now been published and are available on the CSO website at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-svsmr/sexualviolencesurvey2022mainresults/
The survey covers a range of behaviours from non-contact sexual violence right through to non-consensual sexual intercourse, or rape and provides information broken down by the gender of the victims /survivor, among other things.
We now know, based on the survey, the full extent of this problem and we have a baseline to measure the impact of our work across Government, as well as to help us to develop policy and provide the necessary supports and services. It also underlines the importance of having our whole of government zero tolerance approach to DSGBV.
The CSO will be repeating this survey every 10 years and, in the interim, the importance of having robust data is stressed throughout the Third National DSGBV Strategy and is evident in a number of specific actions. It is also included as a specific function for the new statutory based DSGBV Agency, who will be tasked with developing a data and evaluation strategy to ensure there are shared definitions and agreed methodologies for collecting, analysing, and sharing data on access to and use of services.
In addition to focusing on the need for robust data to drive our work in this area, the actions within the Strategy reflect the importance of advancing work in a range of areas, including education, training, awareness raising, supports, robust legislation and importantly, having a victim centred approach to all of our work in this priority area. We are committed to delivering on the goal of this strategy - a society that does not accept any form of domestic, sexual or gender based violence.
