Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 215: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if training will be made available to the Gardaí to specifically address the problem of domestic violence against men. [38669/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that an appropriate training is delivered to Garda trainees on Phases I and III under the auspices of the Legal and Policing Section. I am further informed that this training covers matters relevant to Barring/ Protection/ Safety Orders, arrest powers, procedures to follow, advice to be given, and bail issues. The training involves study of relevant legislation, including the Domestic Violence Act, 1996, the Children Act, 1908 and related matters, and the Child care Act, 1991 including the duties of the Health Boards and Courts in matters of child care.

Garda management state that no differentiation is made in the training courses between male and female victims of domestic violence. I am also informed that Domestic Violence training is also provided by the Social Studies Section on Phases I and III, following which Student Gardaí are fully briefed on all aspects of the law in relation to Domestic Violence. During experiential learning phases, Student Gardaí would also be exposed to dealing with real cases of domestic violence under the supervision of tutors.

Furthermore, while on Phase III, the organisation Women's Aid attend the Garda College, Templemore and spend 4 hours with each class of 24 students educating them on issues of domestic violence. Women's Aid deals with both violence against women and against men. This is put into practice by way of role play situations which assess the students ability to deal with domestic violence situations both lawfully and professionally.

Garda management further state that the issue of training for the general membership of An Garda Síochána is being researched for inclusion on the Continuous Professional Development Core Programme for 2007.