Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
653. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of protective services units for victims of sexual and domestic crime; and the locations in which they have been established in tabular form. [24944/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
The establishment of Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) is a major commitment in the Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme and will deliver a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of specialised crime types, including sexual crime, child abuse and domestic abuse.
I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to implement the roll-out of DPSUs throughout the State and aims to ensure that a DPSU will be in operation within every Garda Síochána division as soon as possible. Roll-out of these Units will meet a key commitment in A Policing Service for the Future , the four-year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
I have been informed that there are currently twenty two (22) Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) established across twenty one (21) Divisions including two (2) DPSUs established in the DMR West Division. Most recently, 4 new DPSUs went live on the 4th August 2020, namely units in DMR North Central, Cork North, Cavan Monaghan, and DMR North.
The below table outlines the twenty-two (22) Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) that have been established to date, including their locations:
|
.DPSU location |
Number of DPSUs |
|
DMR West |
2 |
|
DMR South Central |
1 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
|
Carlow/ Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Cork West |
1 |
|
DMR South |
1 |
|
DMR East |
1 |
|
DMR North Central |
1 |
|
Cork North |
1 |
|
Cavan/ Monaghan |
1 |
|
DMR North |
1 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Sligo/ Leitrim |
1 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Total |
22 |
Additionally, it is expected that the remaining Divisional Protective Service Units which have not been established to date will be established over the coming weeks. These remaining Divisional Protective Service Units are as follows:
|
Remaining DPSU |
|
|
Meath/ Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
1 (to be launched on 24/09/20) |
|
Roscommon/ Longford |
1 |
|
Laois/ Offaly/ Kildare |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
