Domestic Violence Incidence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2019

Tuesday, 25 June 2019

Ceisteanna (275)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

275. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of domestic abuse-related offences reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26579/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I have requested this information from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 275 of 25/06/2019 where the Deputy sought "the number of domestic abuse related offences reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter."

As the Deputy will recall, I undertook to contact her again once an update from An Garda Síochána on this matter was received.

I am now advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of incidents as classified under the categories of Domestic Abuse Offences reported during the period March 2018 to June 2019. I am further advised, on the direction of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, the time scope of the query has been limited to only include data after PULSE release 7.3 due to concern of varying data consistency in this area prior to PULSE 7.3.

It is worth noting that during 2018 and 2019 An Garda Síochána has actively worked on improving the front line handling of incidents of Domestic Abuse. Frontline staff are becoming even more proactive and persistent than before in encouraging people involved in domestic abuse to come forward to make formal statements if they are victims.

Furthermore, An Garda Síochána is also continuously improving its specialist services. Responding to the needs of victims has seen the rollout of Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) with specially trained officers responsible for investigations, including engagement with victims. These Units will support the delivery of a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of sexual and domestic crime.

I hope this information is of assistance.

Table 1- Domestic Abuse Incidents per region. March 2018 to Jun 2019.

Region	Mar 2018	Apr 2018	May 2018	Jun 2018	Jul 2018	Aug 2018	Sep 2018	Oct 2018	Nov 2018	Dec 2018	Jan 2019	Feb 2019	Mar 2019	Apr 2019	May 2019	Jun 2019
Dublin Region	595	628	610	663	696	662	595	643	818	940	811	761	880	848	800	814
Eastern Region	329	336	337	325	339	317	315	258	298	415	382	377	388	362	398	356
Northern Region	225	199	212	226	231	198	219	203	204	261	250	228	320	236	286	282
South Eastern Region	228	230	223	269	268	222	209	240	231	236	215	198	254	231	244	253
Southern Region	390	343	336	352	415	419	396	391	388	484	394	402	410	409	427	407
Western Region	217	193	206	199	248	204	189	206	185	232	183	182	216	224	229	215
National	1984	1929	1924	2034	2197	2022	1923	1941	2124	2568	2235	2148	2468	2310	2384	2327