James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for raising this important matter and for his engagement with the Department and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on this issue. I acknowledge the excellent work being undertaken by with Domestic Violence Response Galway, which is appreciated.

As the Senator will be aware, and in line with a key recommendation of the audit of responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the Government has agreed to establish a dedicated statutory agency that will be charged with co-ordinating the Government's response to this important area. The establishment of this new agency is a priority action for delivery under the third national strategy and will be operational by early next year. The new agency will be tasked with ensuring the delivery of excellent service to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and with driving and co-ordinating the implementation of the third national strategy across the Government. It will bring the dedicated and expert focus that is needed to tackle this serious and complex issue.