I propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 288, 289, 290 and 291 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, action 2.5.2 under the Zero Tolerance Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence commits to a “complete examination of the potential application of an approach on the lines of Operation Encompass in an Irish context”. My Department is engaging with the Departments of Education and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, as well as An Garda Síochána on the issue.
I can inform the Deputy that, in October 2020, having received correspondence from the Children's Ombudsman, Department officials consulted with An Garda Síochána in relation to the practicality of a child protection initiative along the lines of Operation Encompass, which was operating in England and Wales.
Operation Encompass involves the police service making immediate notification, within 24 hours, directly to teachers/principals after they have been called to a domestic violence incident in which children were a factor. The practice in the UK which involves police and teacher collaboration, differs from how cases are dealt with in this jurisdiction where there is contact with social services, or Tusla.
One key factor to bear in mind is that it would appear that there is limited interaction between police and social services in the UK, except where a crime is disclosed. In contrast, in this jurisdiction, Garda policy provides that Tusla are to be notified of every domestic abuse-related incident affecting or involving children, which is not the case in other jurisdictions.
Due to this different institutional landscape, it is important that all aspects are fully considered prior to the introduction of a programme such as Operation Encompass and that process is underway.