Catherine Murphy
Ceist:601. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases that the Kildare Protective Services Unit has dealt with in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [17718/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 April 2022
Ceisteanna (601)
Freagraí scríofa
I would like to assure the Deputy that both Commissioner Harris and I are committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is resourced to provide support to victims of this terrible crime.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the national roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) was an action under Supporting a Victim's Journey, and it has now been completed. The Kildare DPSU referenced by the Deputy commenced operations in September 2020. There is now a Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) established in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, presenting to Gardaí are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. This specialisation ensures that when victims of domestic and sexual violence present to Gardaí, at perhaps their most vulnerable moment, they are met with professional and expert assistance. Under Budget 2022, an additional €1m is being provided to AGS to refurbish and upgrade the Divisional Protective Service Units. This commitment will allow us to better support and protect vulnerable victims.
In addition, the Divisional Victim Service Offices (DVSO) and front line Gardaí are also resources available to respond to domestic violence and support victims.
I was recently in contact with the Garda authorities to seek information on matters related to domestic violence training for the Service, both for those officers attached to DPSUs and to members generally. I thought it might also be useful to share that information in this reply as I know this is an area the Deputy is deeply invested in.
I am informed that significant investment in training for addressing instances of domestic violence and supporting victims has, and is, being made. I am advised that in 2021, An Garda Síochána devised mandatory online training for its personnel in the area of Domestic Abuse. This is a comprehensive training package consisting of instructor led videos presented by subject matter experts from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB). It also includes periodic knowledge checks and supporting materials. Furthermore, live webinar virtual classroom sessions in relation to the Domestic Abuse Risk Evaluation Training is currently being rolled out to Garda personnel on a phased basis, hosted by subject matter experts from GNPSB. A separate online course, which consists of instructor led demonstration videos on the correct use of PULSE in dealing with Domestic Violence Orders has also been launched. In addition, new content has been included on the Foundation Training Programme with a view to enhancing the learning for Garda Probationers during the course of their training.While those assigned to the DPSU already receive specialist training, a review of this is currently underway and with a view to redeveloping the DPSU training to ensure an even more customised, fit-for-purpose and victim-centric training course is delivered to all DPSU members from Detective Garda to Detective Inspector. To this end GNPSB have completed a nationwide canvass with a view to determining training needs and it has been established that there are 392 members of Garda, Sergeant and Inspector rank attached to Divisional Protective Services Units nationwide. Training was delivered in 5 individual modules titled as follows:1. Sexual Crime;2. Online Child Exploitation;3. Domestic Abuse;4. Human Trafficking and Victims;5. Court Process. The initial position in respect of the DPSU training requirement, is that anyone who has not completed all five modules of this training will be required to undertake the new training programme that will be ready for delivery by Q2, 2022. The proposed training programme is expected to enhance the skills of DPSU members, to ensure that each one can carry out the full range of specialist tasks frequently necessitated within their roles.
On foot of the Deputy's question, I contacted An Garda Síochána to seek the specific information sought on the number of cases that the Kildare Protective Services Unit has dealt with in 2021 and to date in 2022. That information is presented in the table below:
|
Type |
Jan to Dec. 2021 (12 month period) |
Jan 2022 to 30 March 2022 (3 month period to present) |
|
DPSU Investigation |
171 |
45 |
|
Total |
171 |
45 |