Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2022
198. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the development of a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on domestic sexual and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52319/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutorily based DSGBV agency, which is expected to be up-and-running at the start of 2024, will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the new Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.
It will drive change and reform across Government and society as a whole towards the end goal of the third national strategy – zero tolerance of DSGBV in Irish society.
The core functions of the Agency will be:
- Delivering excellent services to victims of DSGBV, including increasing the number of accommodation spaces;
- Putting in place a robust set of national service standards and governance arrangements to ensure adherence to the appropriate standards for such supports;
- Leading on awareness-raising campaigns designed to reduce the incidence of DSGBV in Irish society as well as ensuring that all victims know how to access the supports they require;
- Developing a data and evaluation strategy to ensure there are shared definitions and agreed methodologies for collecting, analysing, and sharing data on access to and use of services; and
- Taking over the co-ordination of all Government actions set out within the third national strategy, and reporting on same to a designated Cabinet Committee.
Work has begun in my Department on the necessary scoping and planning to prepare for the design, establishment, and resourcing of the agency.
