Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the overall funding of more than €30 million to help tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including an extra €1 million to improve An Garda Síochána divisional protective service units. The DPSUs are now in every Garda division and deliver a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of sexual crime, child abuse and domestic abuse. As the Minister is aware, the increased incidence of domestic violence this year is not exclusive to my constituency of Carlow, although I have raised the incidence there in the House several times. More than 3,000 extra incidents have been reported during the pandemic. As such, we need better investigation of crime. What is the status of the plan which is to be published in the coming weeks? What is the status of the ongoing reforms under the Supporting a Victim's Journey plan to help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases?

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