Mary Henry (Independent)

Regarding amendment No. 40, the national network of women's refuges and support services put it to me that the following type of information needs to be gathered: the age, gender, nationality, ethnicity and family status of all applicants; the age and number of children involved; the number and nature of applications made and whether previous applications exist; whether domestic violence is alleged; the nature of legal representation, if any; the existence of Garda or health board intervention; and the outcome of the application. All this information should be gathered.

Also, in cases where there is domestic violence there is need to examine whether a weapon was used and if so, what type of weapon. We should also have details of breaches of orders such as barring orders. We need to know too the outcome of an application to include sanctions imposed by criminal courts. Detail is sought so we can know in exactly which areas the public is under most stress and where social services are most needed to intervene. If the Minister is prepared to consider allowing the gathering of this sort of information, the data we get will have a large application.

Progress reported; Committee to sit again.