Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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2. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to the findings of a report (details supplied) that front-line services were contacted 32,144 times, being an increase of 12% on 2023, that 44% of women surveyed were not satisfied with their initial engagement with An Garda Síochána and that its response to more than 65,000 contacts received last year was inconsistent, the urgent steps he is taking to achieve zero tolerance of violence against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36323/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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The Minister is very familiar with the latest Women Aid's report. What will he do, given the significant increase in contacts with Women's Aid and that 44% of women said they were not satisfied with their initial engagement with An Garda Síochána? The response is inconsistent from the Garda in relation to the 65,000 contacts received. What steps is the Minister taking in relation to the zero tolerance policy of the Government?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Connolly for her question. As she knows, the Women's Aid report was published last week. I had the privilege and responsibility of launching it. The statistics within it are very concerning. There were 32,144 contacts made with Women's Aid services last year. That was a 12% increase on the previous year. I was also aware of the statistic contained within it that 44% of women were not satisfied with the response they got in the first instance from An Garda Síochána. Notwithstanding the fact that the majority were satisfied, it indicates there is an issue in ensuring gardaí are suitably and adequately qualified in responding to the scourge of domestic violence. My own assessment and the advice I have received from within An Garda Síochána and, indeed, from people who are victims of domestic violence is that, once the victim gets engaged with the experts within An Garda Síochána who are extensively trained in dealing with domestic violence, they have a very positive outcome. That is apparent when one considers the response from people outside court where there has been a successful conviction.

Obviously, it is imperative that we ensure there is adequate and sufficient training for gardaí in the whole area of domestic violence and coercive control. I want Deputy Connolly to know that, in phase 1 of training at Templemore, trainee gardaí complete 34 hours of instruction on domestic and sexual crime investigation, with dedicated classes on domestic abuse investigation in phases 2 and 3. Trainees in Templemore receive an online presentation on the basics of domestic violence investigation, where the importance of positive first contact with victims is highlighted. It is also the case that trainees attend an in-person workshop on the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and An Garda Síochána policy on domestic abuse intervention. At the nine-week operational stage, trainee gardaí assume an observational role attached to Garda stations.

There is training but there certainly needs to be greater improvement.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I followed this up myself since I joined the Dáil in 2016. We had a task force in 1996 and Eithne FitzGerald was the Labour Party Minister at that stage. Ever since, we have been playing catch up. I am not reassured that the Garda now has courses in place. It was acknowledged by the Garda when it was before us at the public accounts committee recently and further details will be sent to us on the improvements that would be made. Women's Aid tells us its own services are overstretched and underfunded.

I am lost for words because I have spoken about it so often. The level of violence is horrific. We should drop the word "domestic". There are not even refuges in each county. In a sense, that is the wrong way to be going. We have to go that way but that removes the woman from the house as opposed to the offender.

One of the top recommendations from the task force in 1996 was that we needed to have an intervention strategy in relation to the perpetrator. That has never happened and the figures have grown exponentially despite all the strategies and legislation.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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This is a societal problem. However, my own assessment of it is that there is a growing recognition of the extent of this problem and there is a greater sense of confidence and capacity on the part of women to no longer tolerate this and therefore, to report it.

9 o’clock

There is a debate as to whether the increased numbers are due to an increase in violence against women or a greater sense of confidence and security in coming forward. It is probably an alignment of both, I regret to say. The increase in violence against women seems to be driven from the completely malign and repulsive presentation on social media to young men and boys as to how relationships should develop. We need to keep an eye on what is happening with boys and young men owing to what they are being exposed to online. However, I believe the attitude of society, politics and people in this House to domestic violence has changed remarkably. There is strong resistance to tolerating it any further. The Garda is doing a good job in respect of it.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I disagree. The Garda is doing a good job through the protective units but I disagree with the Minister that things have changed in terms of societal attitudes. The Minister could do certain things and act very quickly. He could act regarding the domestic violence register he promised. He has given me no timeline for that.

Women’s Aid has consistently stated the strongest legislation will not make a difference, even if it is enforced, without a complete overhaul of our approach to violence - I am not going to use the word “domestic” - or to crime. There should be mandatory training for gardaí at every level. In the 21st century, we should not be talking about protective units that are good while the general body of gardaí do not have mandatory training in this area. Family law needs to be overhauled. It is described by Women's Aid and other organisations on the ground that are expert in this as disempowering. Going through the process adds to the abuse.

There are practical things Deputy O’Callaghan, as the new Minister, can do now that will make a difference.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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There is mandatory training for trainees in Templemore, as I outlined in my answer. Second, I have instructed officials in my Department to prepare the heads of Bill amending the Domestic Violence Act to ensure that, with respect to persons convicted of serious offences on indictment, the detail will be published in court judgments. This will entail a decision by the judges hearing the case. Efforts are being made and, as the Deputy knows, I have permission from the Government to draft an amendment to the counselling notes. This is being drafted at present and it will be contained within the criminal law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. There are also other legislative provisions, including on sex for rent and the register, that I have brought forward.