Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With specific regard to victims, the victims' forum was established in the past year. It brings together quite a number of different representative groups and organisations that support victims and survivors and considers what more we can do through policy, legislation or funding supports. That work is ongoing. We have identified a number of key strands to work on initially. Domestic violence is one of these. My plan, Supporting a Victim's Journey, is solely focused on how to support victims through the criminal justice system.

With regard to sentencing, while there needs to be a focus on prevention, we need to make sure that, where serious crime happens, there are serious consequences. Last week, the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 reached Second Stage. Through the Bill, I will increase the penalty for assault causing harm from five to ten years. At the moment, people who break into someone's home or damage property can get up to ten years in prison while people who stab others who subsequently recover may get less than five years. It is important that people see that the Judiciary is capable of imposing significant sentences where serious crimes are committed. That is something people want to see.

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