Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:
555. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases that the Dublin north divisional protective services unit have dealt with in 2021 and to date in 2022; the number that ended with a successful prosecution in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question 555 of 25 October, 2022 requesting information in relation to the number of cases that the Dublin North Divisional Protective Services Unit have dealt with in 2021 and to date in 2022.
You will recall that I undertook to forward any relevant information to you when it was to hand.
I can assure you 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 you are 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. There is now a 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. I would like to assure you that while officers attached to DPSUs receive a range of specialist training, all Gardaí are trained as first responders so they are equipped to deal with victims, including of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
In relation to the specific information sought An Garda Síochána have informed me that a search of the PULSE database was conducted on 27/10/2022 using a list of members assigned to DMR North DPSU as provided by Garda HRM to identify any incidents associated with any of those members since 01/01/2021.
The total count was 107 for full year 2021 and 65 for 2022 YTD (as of 27/10/2022)
In terms of records on prosecutions, they are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is independent in the performance of her functions, and the Courts Service. Management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers, as provided for in the Constitution. As the Deputy may be aware, the Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie .
