Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
435. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases dealt with by the Dublin north divisional protective services bureau in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2507/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the nationwide roll-out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which was an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’, has been completed.
In July of 2022 I published the whole of Government Zero Tolerance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV). This is our most ambitious Strategy to date and its overall aim is clear - zero tolerance for all forms of DSGBV and the attitudes which underpin it across all of society. The strategy itself is built around the 4 pillars of the Istanbul Convention - Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination.
An important part of delivering on the ambition of the strategy is ensuring victims have access to the full range of supports and services they need and that they have confidence to reach out for help, report what has happened to them and seek the justice they deserve.
Part of doing this is making sure that victims are supported at every stage of their journey through the criminal justice system and there is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.
This will ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic and sexual violence, present to Gardaí they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, I am informed that the Dublin North Divisional Protective Services Unit dealt with a total of 423 cases in 2023.
