Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Bacik for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to speak on it.It is only through speaking in public about these matters that we can shine a spotlight on an appalling act that, as the Senator has said, is carried out in this country.

Female genital mutilation, FGM, is universally recognised as a form of gender-based violence and a fundamental violation of the human rights of women and girls. As the Senator is aware and has referred to in her statement, the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 provides for the creation of an offence of female genital mutilation and other offences relating to female genital mutilation. The Act explicitly prohibits FGM along with related offences, some of which apply to certain extra-territorial jurisdictions. The Act also makes it an offence to remove a girl from the State for the purpose of FGM. The legislation takes a human rights perspective and stipulates that the right to practise one's cultural traditions and beliefs cannot be used to justify FGM. A defence of custom or ritual in proceedings is not permitted nor is a defence that the girl or woman or her parent or guardian consented to FGM.

The Central Statistics Office records crime statistics. The Irish crime classification system is based on the Garda PULSE incident types. Statistics on the offence of FGM are not identifiable in the Central Statistics Office data as the offence specified may be classified as one of several serious incident types, such as assault causing harm or sexual offences.

The HSE's national social inclusion office provides annual funding of approximately €70,000 to the non-governmental organisation, AkiDwA, towards the provision of information and awareness activities on FGM. AkiDwA works closely with at risk communities. It also has a role in identifying and alerting the relevant authorities when suspected persons may possibly be seeking FGM procedures.

Additional input and funding has been provided to AkiDwA by the HSE in respect of the development and printing of the first and second editions of a resource for health professionals and relevant staff in maternity and associated settings. This pack, entitled Female Genital Mutilation: Information for Health Professionals working in Ireland, has proved to be a very useful resource. It has been circulated across a range of settings. The HSE also funds a specialist clinic operated by the Irish Family Planning Association for girls and women who have undergone FGM.

Although there is no specific training related to dealing with FGM, there is a widening knowledge base on the issue, and health professionals are responding. Victims of FGM will receive medical attention once a situation comes to the attention of the authorities. I can also inform the Senator that the HSE is committed to the development of a second national intercultural health strategy. Addressing FGM will be clearly referenced in the strategy.

While reported incidents of FGM in Ireland are rare, even one such incident is a matter of grave concern. The Department of Health and the HSE will continue to work with other relevant Government agencies and AkiDwA to improve health outcomes for vulnerable groups and to respond to this form of gender-based violence which we never thought we would have to deal with in our society.