Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is similar to failing to deal with mental health issues and violence generally in that it costs the economy in the long term. The figures in this area are significant. The figure thrown out for domestic violence is €2 billion. Ms Barry is making the similar point that it would be cheaper, or certainly more cost efficient, to provide an appropriate service because, one way or another, it costs the State because money goes to health services, prisons or somewhere else. The Dáil has not reached the point where it analyses both the cost of failing to provide a service and the cost of providing a service.