Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
958. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1088 of 17 January 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered. [12965/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is properly resourced to provide support to victims.
As the deputy is aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána have informed me of the following:
Domestic abuse investigations come within the remit of each Superintendent for Community Engagement (where the Operating Model is implemented) or District Officer in divisions yet to implement the Operating Model.
Domestic Abuse Coordinator Teams (DACT) in each Community engagement area/district in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) are responsible for examining all cases where there is a recidivist element of domestic abuse or where domestic abuse is indicated as a motivating factor in a recorded incident.
All cases are assessed, evaluated and if deemed prudent, case managers are appointed to maintain additional contact with the injured party (or parties). Advices are provided in respect of civil orders that are available, together with the details of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) operating within that area of concern that may be in a position to provide the victim with relevant support.
Each Detective Superintendent in the DMR convenes regular case conferences where DACT cases form the subject of discussion. The meetings provide an opportunity to establish what, if any, additional policing measures, supports and services are required to further support the victim(s). These case conferences are attended by DACT coordinators for each District and the local District Officer.
Cases are only closed on the direction of the District Officer. It should be noted that DACT is provided in addition to the routine supports provided to victims of crime. The role of a Domestic Abuse Coordinator includes (in no particular order) but is not limited to the following:
• Liaising with victims of domestic abuse identified as being at high risk of further domestic abuse;
• Liaising with suspect(s) of domestic abuse who have been identified as being at high risk of further offending, similar to case management of offenders;
• Liaising with local and national non-governmental agencies;
• Engaging with support services, refuges, Women’s Aid, Sonas, Saoirse etc;
• Liaising with Tusla, HSE, the Courts Service, the Probation Services and the Prison Service; and
• Attending relevant training seminars and presentations.
Domestic Abuse Co-ordination Teams operate across each of the six divisions in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. It should be noted that personnel trained to undertake DACT roles are not appointed or full time positions.
While there are a number of trained Domestic Abuse Coordinators in each division, the members comprise of both uniformed regular front line personnel and detective personnel who undertake other full time roles.
DACT co-ordinators are members that take on additional roles in support of victims and have demonstrated particular skills that provide additional support to victims of domestic abuse.
In 2023, DACT teams reviewed 15,472 incidents in the DMR that had a domestic violence motive recorded.
