Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Violence Against Women.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

67 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has concluded the examination of recommendations of the report of the Task Force on Violence Against Women relevant to his Department; if so, when they will be implemented; the additional steps, if any, planned to help protect women and children from domestic violence in view of the recent report of the Irish Federation of Women's Refugees showing a 25 per cent increase in the number of distress calls received by refugees in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3113/98]

Dick Spring

Ceist:

73 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of the work currently undertaken by the National Steering Committee and an Inter-Departmental Committee to implement the recommendations of the report of the Task Force on Violence against Women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3192/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 73 together.

The establishment of a national steering committee was one of the main recommendations of the Task Force on Violence Against Women. The national steering committee was established by Government under my Department's aegis and is chaired by Minister of State, Deputy Mary Wallace. The Committee held its first meeting on 18 December 1997. The national steering committee is currently examining the development of a national awareness campaign, the development of the regional structures and the issue of the court environment. As part of its work, it is also currently evaluating the services which are provided nationally to assess areas of need and to identify gaps in the existing service.

The review of the recommendations of the Task Force on Violence Against Women will be carried out by an interdepartmental committee, established under my Department, in conjunction with the work of the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women.

Part of the steering committee's remit is to ensure that a cohesive response to the issue of refugee spaces is provided with an assurance of maximum value for money.

Funding for the services provided by refuges comes under the remit of the Department of Health and Children and that Department is represented on both the inter-departmental committee and the national steering committee.