Written Answers Nos. 161-175
161. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for no indoor classes taking place under level 3, which effectively shuts music, dance schools and speech and drama schools. [39242/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the Department’s objective, which is shared by the further and higher education sector, to ensure that, where possible, an optimal learning experience is provided in the circumstances that present at any specific time.
In “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” the following framework is provided by Government in respect of further and higher education at Level 3: Further, higher and adult education to escalate all appropriate protective measures and limit congregation as far as possible.
In that context, on 15th September 2020, Government, at the request of NPHET, asked that further and higher education institutions in Dublin consider the enhanced protective measures necessary to ensure the safe recommencement of on-site activities in light of a worsening public health situation.
The sector subsequently agreed a range of enhanced protective measures for Dublin, using their discretion in deciding between on-site and remote for the scheduling of particular activities, where remote delivery is feasible during this period. These measures included;
- Minimisation of on-site provision with priority given to teaching and learning that can only take place on-site;
- Onsite provision of teaching and research in laboratories, practical tuition and workshops and for skills-based learning (including in relation to apprenticeship);
- Limited planned on-site attendance for other priority student and learner cohorts at intervals for specific purposes and with avoidance of congregation as well as small tutorials and elements of first-year orientation / induction which cannot be undertaken on line, so long as these are conducted on a staggered basis to avoid congregation or large on-site attendances;
- Necessary library attendance where there is advance booking/registration;
- Continuation of research activities with appropriate mitigating protection;
- Suspension of on-site social and club activities to limit congregation on and off campus.
On the request of the acting CMO, these measures were subsequently extended nationwide until the announcement on 19th October which moved the country to Level 5 restrictions.
The extensive work which has been undertaken to underpin the operation of the higher and further education system has been based on detailed planning and contingencies by higher and further education institutions, ongoing reporting and more recently the development of Outbreaks Protocols, and their implementation and communication to staff, students and learners. The scope for continuity of practical skills provision at more restrictive levels is afforded on the basis of this strong sectoral engagement, planning and reporting, ensuring ongoing close alignment with the framework.
In devising and implementing the framework we have been mindful of being as inclusive as possible. Accordingly all publicly funded higher education, private higher education (through HECA members) and education and training offered through ETBs, including that offered on a contracted basis is comprehended within the Guidance and therefore can take place within the current restrictions . Given the statutory remit of SOLAS, Safepass and CSCS/QSCS training are comprehended. Community based education is also in scope.
Outside of this, there is a diverse continuum of education and training of varying degrees of duration and formality. Our basis for engagement with such providers across this spectrum of diverse sectors is very limited and it would be a major undertaking on the Department’s part to oversee the work required to give the necessary confidence in their processes and their implementation, sufficient to provide confidence in the provision of practical skills at more restrictive levels. However, it is the Department’s view that such education and training taking place outside of the sectors outlined above, and to which the Deputy refers, falls within the provisions of general Government advice and the HSA Protocols for Returning to Work.
162. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any recent assessment has been carried out by his Department to examine the capacity of counselling services offered by third level institutions in view of ongoing remote learning. [38962/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe support and wellbeing of our students is a priority for my Department, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increased stress and pressure resulting from it.
In recent weeks, I launched a new National Framework to address the issues of student mental health and suicide prevention. This Framework is Ireland’s first ever national approach to address student mental health and suicide prevention. The Framework has been developed as part of the Higher Education Authority’s commitment to play its part in delivering on the Department of Health’s Connecting for Life – Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015-2020.
The Framework was developed in collaboration with students, mental health and suicide prevention specialists, academics, researchers and institutional staff. The Framework delivers on a commitment to develop national guidelines for the higher education institutions (HEIs) in relation to suicide risk and critical incident response, thereby helping to address any gaps which might exist in the prevention of suicide in higher education. The Framework additionally recognises the many challenges students face, and sets out ways in which institutions can support and respond through working proactively to maximise mental health and wellbeing.
Earlier this year, I also secured a comprehensive package of financial support in the amount of €168m for the Higher Education and Further Education and Training sector to mitigate against the direct financial impact of COVID-19 on our Universities, institutions, colleges and students in 2020. This package includes additional funding of €3m to underpin wellbeing and mental health and student services in our higher education institutions (HEIs), and is in addition to the €2m that was allocated in Budget 2020. This overall funding of €5m comes at a time of great urgency in relation to student support and re-opening of our higher education institutions. This funding will enable institutions to enhance their student facing services, such as by employing additional student Counsellors, Assistant Psychologists etc.
The HEA wrote to all HEIs setting each institutions funding allocation towards student support and mental health and wellbeing and the conditions attaching to the funding, including a request that the HEIs distribute it in support of specific student facing areas such as the recruitment of additional Student Counsellors, and implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.
Following on from publication of the Framework, the HEA contacted institutions to progress its implementation and to follow up on the earlier funding allocations. Many institutions are already in process of increasing their counselling service capacity; there are a number of recruitments of additional counsellors and assistant psychologists live at the moment, we're expecting many more to follow suit over the next few weeks. This increased capacity/resourcing will allow for development of further active outreach to students.
The HEA has outlined that the funding allocation for counselling services specifically is data driven, taking cognisance of research reports such as the USI National Report on Students and Covid-19, the My World 2 report, the AHEAD “Learning from Home” report, and also reflecting USI’s prioritisation of increasing capacity of counselling services and the finally promoting the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.
In that way, the funding is intended to have a direct and immediate impact for students in this academic year, and the HEA will be requesting a further more detailed report at the end of the academic year which should clearly indicate the metrics used by institutions to measure impact and demonstrate outcomes including in respect of the capacity of counselling services offered by third-level institutions.
The increased capacity/resourcing of counselling in this current year will allow for development of active outreach to students and deliver more support and training to campus staff to identify, support and refer students in difficulty. This whole of campus approach to student support is a central principle in the National Framework for Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. While specific services such as counselling provide the specialist response to mental health difficulties, all staff should be aware of how to engage and respond supportively to a student in distress, and how to make effective referrals to the services, and we will be working towards achieving that in line with the framework.
In October, I also announced the new keyword partnership with 50808. This is a Free 24/7 anonymous text support service. Students text their institution keyword to 50808 to begin a text conversation e.g. Text DKIT to 50808 for Dundalk IT students, Text TCD to 50808. Although this partnership with student counselling services was in train before the publication of USI National Report on Students and Covid-19, the 50808 partnership responds directly to the almost 27% of students in this report who said they would like to use a text service provided by their college service and 26% who said they would use a text service provided through an external service. 50808 volunteers will also signpost student texters to their campus and local community supports, based on their location, in instances that where further support is required.
163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the policy on mental health support services in relation to third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39000/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe support and wellbeing of our students is a priority for my Department, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increased stress and pressure resulting from it.
In recent weeks, I launched a new National Framework to address the issues of student mental health and suicide prevention. This Framework is Ireland’s first ever national approach to address student mental health and suicide prevention. The Framework has been developed as part of the Higher Education Authority’s commitment to play its part in delivering on the Department of Health’s Connecting for Life – Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015-2020.
The Framework was developed in collaboration with students, mental health and suicide prevention specialists, academics, researchers and institutional staff. The Framework delivers on a commitment to develop national guidelines for the higher education institutions (HEIs) in relation to suicide risk and critical incident response, thereby helping to address any gaps which might exist in the prevention of suicide in higher education. The Framework additionally recognises the many challenges students face, and sets out ways in which institutions can support and respond through working proactively to maximise mental health and wellbeing.
Earlier this year, I also secured a comprehensive package of financial support in the amount of €168m for the Higher Education and Further Education and Training sector to mitigate against the direct financial impact of COVID-19 on our Universities, institutions, colleges and students in 2020. This package includes additional funding of €3m to underpin wellbeing and mental health and student services in our higher education institutions (HEIs), and is in addition to the €2m that was allocated in Budget 2020. This overall funding of €5m comes at a time of great urgency in relation to student support and re-opening of our higher education institutions. This funding will enable institutions to enhance their student facing services, such as by employing additional student Counsellors, Assistant Psychologists etc.
The HEA wrote to all HEIs setting each institutions funding allocation towards student support and mental health and wellbeing and the conditions attaching to the funding, including a request that the HEIs distribute it in support of specific student facing areas such as the recruitment of additional Student Counsellors, and implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.
Following on from publication of the Framework, the HEA contacted institutions to progress its implementation and to follow up on the earlier funding allocations. Many institutions are already in process of increasing their counselling service capacity; there are a number of recruitments of additional counsellors and assistant psychologists live at the moment, we're expecting many more to follow suit over the next few weeks. This increased capacity/resourcing will allow for development of further active outreach to students.
The HEA has outlined that the funding allocation for counselling services specifically is data driven, taking cognisance of research reports such as the USI National Report on Students and Covid-19, the My World 2 report, the AHEAD “Learning from Home” report, and also reflecting USI’s prioritisation of increasing capacity of counselling services and the finally promoting the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.
In that way, the funding is intended to have a direct and immediate impact for students in this academic year, and the HEA will be requesting a further more detailed report at the end of the academic year which should clearly indicate the metrics used by institutions to measure impact and demonstrate outcomes including in respect of the capacity of counselling services offered by third-level institutions.
The increased capacity/resourcing of counselling in this current year will allow for development of active outreach to students and deliver more support and training to campus staff to identify, support and refer students in difficulty. This whole of campus approach to student support is a central principle in the National Framework for Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. While specific services such as counselling provide the specialist response to mental health difficulties, all staff should be aware of how to engage and respond supportively to a student in distress, and how to make effective referrals to the services, and we will be working towards achieving that in line with the framework.
In October, I also announced the new keyword partnership with 50808. This is a Free 24/7 anonymous text support service. Students text their institution keyword to 50808 to begin a text conversation e.g. Text DKIT to 50808 for Dundalk IT students, Text TCD to 50808. Although this partnership with student counselling services was in train before the publication of USI National Report on Students and Covid-19, the 50808 partnership responds directly to the almost 27% of students in this report who said they would like to use a text service provided by their college service and 26% who said they would use a text service provided through an external service. 50808 volunteers will also signpost student texters to their campus and local community supports, based on their location, in instances that where further support is required.
164. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department and any commercial or non-commercial State bodies and private entities subsidised by 50% or more of public funding under the aegis of his Department have implemented social clauses in their public procurement contracts in the past three years (details supplied); and if so, the nature of these social clauses. [39050/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation in respect of the inclusion of social clauses in individual contracts is not routinely compiled by my Department. I will arrange to have the relevant details in respect of the Department's contracts collected and forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
Further information requested in regard to the inclusion of social clauses in contracts by an aegis or other publicly funded education body is not collected by my Department. The information is not readily available and would require significant resources to compile in respect of over 4,000 education related entities. If there is information on a particular body required by the Deputy, I will endeavour to have the information forwarded to her.
165. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the uptake of the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme; and the breakdown by sector, programme and region. [39135/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) was initially funded under the July Stimulus programme and has been extended to mid-2021. It provides an employer grant of €3,000 for each new apprentice registered between 1st March 2020 and end June 2021. €2,000 of the grant is paid to the employer once the apprentice is registered, and a further €1,000 is paid after one year if the apprentice is still in employment at that time.
The impact of Covid-19 on businesses has resulted in a decrease of approximately 24% in new apprentice registrations for the year to end October (from 5,173 in 2019 to 3,952 in 2020). The introduction of the AIS has supported the recovery of apprentice registrations with September and October showing significant recovery compared to prior months, with October registrations (196) comparable to those of the prior year.
As of the 18th November, 965 claims have been submitted online in respect of 1,667 apprentices. 522 of these claims have been approved in respect of 654 apprentice registrations to a value of €1.308m. Another 325 are currently awaiting approval, and the remainder have been sent back to employers for resubmission as incorrect or invalid information may have been provided.
A breakdown of the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme by sector, programme and region is included in the attached table.
166. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration has been given to introducing an apprenticeship levy here as is the case in other countries. [39136/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeship in Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund (NTF) which was established by the National Training Fund Act, 2000, as a dedicated fund to support the training of those in employment, and those seeking employment. The NTF replaced the pre-existing Apprenticeship Levy which had been in place under The Industrial Training (Apprenticeship Levy) Act 1994. It is funded through an employer levy of 1% of reckonable earnings in respect of employees in classes A and H employments, representing approximately 75 per cent of all insured employees.
Apprenticeship is therefore currently funded by employers. The issue of future funding of apprenticeship is being considered in the context of the upcoming Apprenticeship Action Plan for Apprenticeship which is due to be finalised by the end of 2020.
167. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the recently announced one-off Covid-19 payment will include students on access or foundation courses such as the Trinity College access programme or the TU Dublin access foundation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39240/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the impact the pandemic has had on our students. To ensure the safety of our students and staff in further and higher education, the majority of college is online this semester. In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year.
The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in recognition of the significant uncertainty and stress they have experienced due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The scheme will ensure students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant before Christmas, while students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution. In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.
Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.
168. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce legislation on the revenge porn issue. [38905/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce legislation to deal with harassment, harmful communications and related offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39030/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 or similar legislation to deal with the issue of revenge porn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39114/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if new legislation will be introduced to deal with digital image-based abuse and sharing of images without consent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39220/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168, 177, 179 and 181 together.
I fully support the Programme for Government commitment to enacting legislation in this area and the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill is being progressed as a priority. The Bill is scheduled for Committee Stage in the Dáil on 1 December 2020.
Yesterday, I secured Cabinet approval to bring forward amendments to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill to provide for two new offences to deal with the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.
The first offence will deal with the taking, distribution, publication or threat to distribute intimate images without consent, and with intent to cause harm to the victim. It is intended to carry a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and/or 7 years’ imprisonment.
The second offence will deal with the taking, distribution or publication of intimate images without consent without a requirement that the person intended to cause harm to the victim. It is intended that this offence will carry a maximum penalty of a €5,000 fine and/or 12 months’ imprisonment.
The amendments proposed also provide that it will be irrelevant that a person may have consented to the taking of an image if it is subsequently published or distributed without their consent. It will be an aggravating factor for the purposes of sentencing if the perpetrator of the offence is or was in an intimate relationship with the victim of the offence.
Further amendments approved by Cabinet will update harassment legislation to broaden the scope of the offence of harassment to cover all forms of persistent communications about a person, not just indecent images, and to increase the penalty from seven to ten years to reflect the harm that can be caused by most serious forms of harassment.
Harassment and abuse in any form, whether online or otherwise, is utterly unacceptable and has no place in Irish society. I am, along with my Government colleagues, fully committed to tackling abusive behaviour in all forms. The standards of what is unacceptable in an online setting must be consistent with those in traditional settings, and cross government initiatives are underway to address this.
Progression of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill is a priority action for me as Minister for Justice and I am committed to seeing it enacted as quickly as possible. I would like to acknowledge the cooperation of Deputy Brendan Howlin in advancing the proposed amendments and I very much welcome the support expressed by all for this legislation. I look forward to progressing through the legislative process as soon as possible.
169. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the aftercare supports in place for under 18s who are victims of violent crimes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38912/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting all victims of crime is a priority for this Government and for me as Minister for Justice.
As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has statutory responsibility for child protection and welfare services, family support and educational welfare.
In relation to funding for victims of crime, my Department provides funding to promote and assist the development of support services to victims of crime. In 2020 this funding amounted to €1.9 million and is being increased under Budget 2021 to €2.1million.
Organisations funded by my Department who provide aftercare supports specifically to children who are victims of crimes include Barnardos and CARI, while other organisations such as Advocates for Victims of Homicide (AdVIC), the Federation for Victims Assistance, Beacon of Light Counselling Centre, Support After Crime and Support After Homicide provide assistance to both children and adults. These organisations provide support and listening services, counselling services as well emotional and practical support to victims of violent crimes.
To date my Department has also provided and additional €327,590 in Covid specific funding to help organisations working to support victims of crime and I have secured an additional €400,000 to continue this Covid specific support in 2021.
This Covid specific funding has provided additional resources, support, enforcement and services to key organisations, including in the area of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, in response to the increased demand for services during the pandemic. This support is being maintained and increased in budget 2021.
In addition, funding of just over €2 million euro has been allocated to my Department under budget 2021 to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and I have secured an additional €2.3 million to implement the O’Malley recommendations to support vulnerable victims, as set out in Supporting a Victims Journey - A plan to help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases, which I published last month.
Finally, my predecessor published a new and expanded Victims Charter in February this year. The updated charter takes account of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, which sets out the rights of victims of crime, and seeks to assist victims of crime in locating services available to them. The charter was developed by my Department in consultation with all relevant State agencies and organisations including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the DPP, as well a wide range of non-governmental organisations and groups representing victims themselves.
The charter sets out information on the services offered by the State as well as voluntary groups who work with victims of crime. The charter also outlines out how to get in touch with relevant services and what supports the various services can offer to victims of crime. Significantly, the charter describes the criminal justice system from the perspective of a victim of crime, so that victims can understand what to expect from their interaction with the system.
My Department is currently in the process of developing a new website for the victims charter which is due to be launched early next year. The current website is accessible at www.victimscharter.ie.
170. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the aftercare supports in place for adults who are victims of violent crimes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38913/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting all victims of crime is a priority for this Government and for me as Minister for Justice.
In relation to funding for victims of crime, my Department provides funding to promote and assist the development of support services to victims of crime. In 2020 this funding amounted to €1.9 million and is being increased under Budget 2021 to €2.1million.
Organisations funded by my Department who provide aftercare supports to adults who are victims of violent crimes include Advocates for Victims of Homicide (AdVIC), the Crime Victims Helpline, the Federation for Victims Assistance, Beacon of Light Counselling Centre, Support After Crime and Support After Homicide among others. These organisations provide support and listening services, counselling services as well emotional and practical support to victims of violent crimes.
To date my Department has also provided and additional €327,590 in Covid specific funding to help organisations working to support victims of crime and I have secured an additional €400,000 to continue this Covid specific support in 2021.
This Covid specific funding has provided additional resources, support, enforcement and services to key organisations, including in the area of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, in response to the increased demand for services during the pandemic. This support is being maintained and increased under budget 2021.
As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency under the aegis of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) and is the primary funder of organisations that deliver frontline services.
In addition, to the funding already referenced, just over €2 million euro has been allocated to my Department under budget 2021 to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and I have secured an additional €2.3 million to implement the O’Malley recommendations to support vulnerable victims, as set out in Supporting a Victims Journey - A plan to help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases, which I published last month.
Finally, my predecessor published a new and expanded Victims Charter in February this year. The updated charter takes account of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, which sets out the rights of victims of crime, and seeks to assist victims of crime in locating services available to them. The charter was developed by my Department in consultation with all relevant State agencies and organisations including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the DPP, as well a wide range of non-governmental organisations and groups representing victims themselves.
The charter sets out information on the services offered by the State as well as voluntary groups who work with victims of crime. The charter also outlines out how to get in touch with relevant services and what supports the various services can offer to victims of crime. Significantly, the charter describes the criminal justice system from the perspective of a victim of crime, so that victims can understand what to expect from their interaction with the system.
My Department is currently in the process of developing a new website for the victims charter which is due to be launched early next year. The current website is accessible at www.victimscharter.ie.
171. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda superintendents that have been appointed to the Garda station in Ardee, County Louth over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38915/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice the dates over the past five years on which there has been no Garda superintendent appointed in the Garda station in Ardee, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38917/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, Garda numbers are now some 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to 620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staff.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. The allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demand. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that 7 Superintendents have served as District Officer in Ardee from the beginning of 2015 to date.
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, details the dates over the past five years when no Superintendent has been exclusively allocated to Ardee District:
|
Dates |
|
12.04.2016 – 03.08.2016 |
|
13.04.2018 – 13.06.2018 |
|
31.01.2019 – 24.03.2019 |
|
08.10.2020 – present |
173. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of men and women who made reports of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence by county and year in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38918/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific information requested by the deputy, the Garda authorities have provided me with the information in the tables attached.
The figures for 2016-2019 inclusive are complete calendar years. The figures for 2020 are for the year to date, up to and including 23rd November. I am informed that there is no specific incident type which can be used to identify all incidents relating to gender-based violence.
I want to assure the Deputy that combatting Domestic Sexual and Gender Based violence is a key priority for me and my department. In recognition of the importance of the multi- agency approach required to address these matters fully, the draft Programme for Government contains a commitment to conduct an audit of statutory responsibilities in this area. I have just published a request for tender for a suitably qualified independent expert to undertake this audit who will, as part of their work, be required to take account of the views of those working at the frontline. The results of this independent audit will provide us with comprehensive analysis to inform how we advance our infrastructure to have the best outcomes in the future. In line with our Programme for Government Commitment, it will be completed by the end of March 2021.
Without prejudice to the outcome of this audit, the Programme for Government commits to the development of the third National Strategy to be agreed before the end of 2021, which will place a priority on prevention and reduction and will include a National Preventative Strategy. In partnership with our stakeholders, my Department is currently coordinating a review of the achievements made under the second strategy to help inform the third and we are fully on track to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment.
My Department coordinates the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016 – 2021 which is a whole-of-Government approach addressing the many actions necessary to address these matters fully.
The Strategy includes input from relevant community and voluntary groups as well as other stakeholders across the sector. This is achieved through a Monitoring Committee composed of stakeholders from all sectors working together in partnership; as well as ongoing cooperation between the Department and frontline services and industry partners.
A range of other relevant actions are being pursued in this area, for example:
- Giving full effect to the actions contained in Supporting a Victims Journey A plan to help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases which is a comprehensive roadmap for implementing the O’Malley recommendations
- my Department has agreed with the Central Statistics Office that it will conduct a major National Sexual Violence Prevalence Study, which will look in detail at women and men experience of sexual violence and abuse in Ireland, with repeat large scale surveys every decade, to provide a robust evidence-basis for Government policy;
- an independent study on domestic homicide and familicide is being carried out;
- public awareness campaigns have been organised on domestic abuse ("What would you do?" which ran from 2016-2018) and sexual violence ("No Excuses", which commenced in 2019 and is scheduled to run until 2021)
- an expanded Victims Charter has been published and is available on the website www.victimscharter.ie
- a proactive approach to dealing with incidents of domestic abuse by An Garda Síochána through their ongoing Operation Faoimseach which is a proactive initiative designed to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected during this unprecedented time. Under this operation domestic abuse victims continue to receive the highest priority by An Garda Síochána.
- An Garda Síochána is also continuously improving its specialist services and Divisional Protective Services Units are rolled out nationwide with specially trained officers responsible for investigations, including engagement with victims.
I would emphasise that implementation of the Second National Strategy is monitored on an ongoing basis and actions may be added to it by agreement of the Monitoring Committee, which as mentioned is made up of representatives from state agencies and the community and voluntary sector.
Finally, the Deputy may also be interested to note that my Department is currently leading efforts to identify lessons which can be learned from the inter-agency plan which we put in place to address domestic abuse, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This process includes input from the community and voluntary sector working in this area. This will strengthen our national response to the issues of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
174. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of females who were assessed for domestic, sexual or gender-based violence programmes; and the number of females who commenced and completed such programmes in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38919/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of males who were assessed for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence programmes; the number of males who commenced and completed such programmes in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38920/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
My Department is currently supporting and overseeing the implementation of a uniform national domestic violence intervention programme under the Second National Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender- based Violence, 2016-2021.The roll out of this programme, entitled the Choices Programme, began in 2017.
The Choices programme is delivered across the State by the following three organisations working with men who engage in domestic abuse and provide support to their partners/ex-partners; MOVE Ireland, Men’s Development Network (MEND) and the North East Domestic Violence Intervention Programme (NEDVIP).
Prior to this, these organisations were running separate types of domestic abuse intervention programmes locally with funding support provided by the Department of Justice.
With regard to the specific Information requested by the Deputy, as I mentioned, the Choices programme began in 2017 and the following tables demonstrate the number of males who were assessed and commenced programmes in each of the organisations respectively for the years 2017-2020.
These organisations do not provide intervention programmes to females.
|
Move Ireland |
2017* |
2018 |
2019 |
Figures for January-October 2020** |
|
No of Referrals |
142 |
183 |
223 |
134 |
|
No of men assessed |
92 |
109 |
186 |
75 |
|
No of men starting a programme |
70 |
75 |
89 |
40 (85 men are currently on a programme) |
|
No of men completing a programme |
0 |
55 |
45 |
5*** |
|
No of women (partners and ex-partners of the men on the programme) supported |
44 |
81 |
92 |
49 + 18 (COVID-19: previous partners supported ) |
- Figures* for 2017 reflect activity for the period when the CHOICES programme commenced in September 2017. This explains why no men completed in that year.
- Figures** for 2020 are an estimate at this stage.
- Very*** few men have completed the programme due to the disruption in providing the group programme this year.
|
MEND |
2017* |
2018 |
2019 |
2020** |
|
***Partners Engaged |
24 |
28 |
65 |
78 |
|
Men Commenced |
27 |
45 |
57 |
|
|
Men Completed |
17 |
26 |
37 |
12 |
|
Men Engaging |
92 |
- 2017* was the first year in the rollout of Choices after Training had been completed and programmes began at different times over the course of 2017.
- 2020** due to Covid 19 Restrictions, much of the work was done by phone or other online app and therefore work was focused on safety rather than programme work so the number of completers is disproportionately low for this year and overall numbers estimated. Instead of men commenced for 2020 the number given is men engaging in the programme at some level from waiting list, to Assessment, to one-to-one work.
- MEND*** does not deliver programmes for partners but rather partners are offered support while the man is on the programme and for 3 months after he has left the programme through completion, dropout or deselection. So, the number for partners is the number who engaged with the programme and is on a voluntary basis.
|
NEDVIP |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
No of men assessed for programme |
13 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
No of men commenced programme |
7 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
No of men completed programme |
6 |
5 |
7 |
* |
- Figure* for 2020 not complete
