James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, I thank Senators for raising this very serious matter. We all know there is no single solution to ending violence against women and tackling it requires a multifaceted approach, with genuine engagement and partnership across all sectors of our society. We need sufficient supports and services available throughout the country, appropriate legislation, an effective policing response and a cultural shift within our society, as I referenced earlier.

I assure Senators that the Government is working to achieve these goals and when the strategy is published, it will come with an implementation plan and the necessary supports to ensure it can be implemented as quickly as possible. The recent budget for 2022 provides more than €2 billion in funding for An Garda Síochána, including the provision for recruitment of an additional 800 new gardaí and 400 Garda staff this year. There is an additional €41 million for Tusla that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, has also secured.

The appalling and tragic death of Ashling Murphy has produced a groundswell of support to bring about change in this area but I must emphasise that while the Government will lead, all members of society have a role in creating a society free from all forms of violence against women. There can be no excuses.