Written answers

Thursday, 6 April 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Domestic Violence

5:00 am

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department intends to conduct a widescale public awareness and education campaign on domestic violence; his plans to introduce a training and education programme for public officials, the Judiciary and health care professionals on the topic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14083/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women, NSC, was set up in 1997 to provide co-ordinated actions by the many statutory and voluntary bodies involved in responding to the problem of violence against women. My Department, in conjunction with the NSC, has conducted a series of successful awareness raising campaigns dealing with various aspects of this issue in recent years. The NSC is currently developing a strategic plan for its work over the next five to ten years, which will include the development of a long-term and wide ranging strategy for raising public awareness of the issue of violence against women. The strategic plan should be completed this year and will be widely circulated. This plan is expected to address the information and awareness needs of relevant public officials and health professionals in partnership with the training and education arrangements already in place for the groups in question.

In the case of the Judiciary, which is independent in the exercise of its functions under the law and the Constitution, the Deputy should note that the provision of training and education is a matter for the Judicial Studies Institute established in 1996 for this purpose. My role in this regard is to support any programmes put in place by the institute through funding made available in the courts Vote, which is administered by the Courts Service.

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