Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
410. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if she will ring fence dedicated funding to fully implement her Department’s Zero Tolerance Action Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46646/23]
View answerZero Tolerance, the Government’s Third National Strategy on DSGBV, published last year, is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and with those working in the sector to achieve the goals set out in the Strategy.
The overall cost of implementing the entire Strategy is estimated to be in the region of €363m. This includes the delivery of 141 new units of refuge accommodation on a phased basis at a capital cost estimated at €70.5m and running costs of €33m over the lifetime of the Strategy.
As part of Budget 2024, I secured an additional €12m, which represents a 25 percent record increase in funding for combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
This will support the implementation of actions contained in Zero Tolerance plan and by establishing the new dedicated State agency in this area which will have a range of responsibilities including; the funding and commissioning of DSGBV services; supporting the delivery of refuges, and co-ordinating the implementation of the Third National Strategy.
The additional €12 million in funding I have secured for 2024 will greatly assist the agency in meeting the acute need for services throughout the country.
The agency will have a core budget of €43m next year to deliver on its mandate and boost the momentum in implementing the ambitious goals set out in the national strategy.
The legislation to provide for the establishment of this new agency is currently before the Houses and I expect it will be operational in January 2024.
