Crime Levels

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Ceisteanna (414)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

468 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of reported incidents of domestic violence in each of the past five years and to date in 2012; the successful prosecutions arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14281/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I take it that the Deputy is referring to incidents of domestic violence reported to An Garda Síochána. Prosecutions in such cases arise following a breach of the domestic violence barring or protection order. In the usual course of events following an incident of domestic violence, the victim may apply to court for a barring or protection order. Where such an order is breached, the victim may report the matter to An Garda Síochána and a prosecution may arise.

Two sets of statistics therefore arise — one relating to applications to court for barring and protection orders which are civil law matters; the second relating to prosecution for breach of barring and protection orders which is a criminal law matter.

The completed full-year figures available with regard to applications for court orders under the Domestic Violence Acts 1996 and 2002 are as set out in a tabular statement:

Year	Category	Applications	Granted	Refused	Withdrawnstruck out
2006	Barring Orders	3,132	1,357	93	1,682
	Safety Orders	3,050	1,221	103	1,726
	Protection Orders	3,137	2,845	99	193
	Interim barring orders	605	544	26	35
2007	Barring Orders	3,355	1,420	115	1,820
	Safety Orders	3,553	1,556	296	1,701
	Protection Orders	3,794	3,235	363	188
	Interim barring orders	692	586	78	28
2008	Barring Orders	3,096	1,251	580	1,265
	Safety Orders	3,328	1,502	617	1,209
	Protection Orders	3,354	2,955	256	138
	Interim barring orders	623	445	71	107
2009	Barring Orders	2,855	1,106	89	1,660
	Safety Orders	3,322	1,339	116	617
	Protection Orders	3,134	2,867	120	256
	Interim barring orders	545	451	56	38
2010	Barring Orders	2,726	1,064	88	1,574
	Safety Orders	3,561	1,457	80	2,024
	Protection Orders	2,926	2,672	134	115
	Interim barring orders	530	431	38	61

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the relevant statistics directly to the Deputy.

Domestic Violence may also be disclosed by the victim in their interactions with the health, housing, education and community sectors. The National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010-2014 includes action to promote opportunities for safe disclosure and increased understanding of domestic violence. It also includes specific action to improve the level and quality of data captured and used, to ensure that policy and service development takes account of the full scale of domestic violence, not only that reported to and prosecuted by An Garda Síochána.