Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 505: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to establish a domestic violence prevention office. [19333/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's commitment to tackling domestic violence was reflected in the establishment in June 2007 of Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Cosc's key responsibility is to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Cosc's major priority is to produce a National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence which has the support of State and non-government organisations in the sector. The Strategy will set out the policy on addressing domestic and sexual violence, and the preventative and responsive actions to be taken by the broad ranging organisations to ensure a well co-ordinated system.

Work on preparing the Strategy has commenced including the publication in April of a call for submissions in the national newspapers, the organisation of an international conference on domestic violence at the end of this month and mapping of relevant services available in Ireland. The preparation of the Strategy is being carried out in partnership with the relevant State and non-governmental organisations. The commitment in the Programme for Government for the establishment of an office providing a unified service incorporating legal advice, counselling and other services is being addressed in the context of the National Strategy.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 506: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to set up a domestic violence fund under which there will be an increase in the number of refuge spaces. [19334/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following a Government Decision, Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was set up in June 2007 with the key responsibility is to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. As part of its remit, Cosc facilitates the development of strategies and services in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in line with best international practice. This involves mapping current service standards as well as sourcing, disseminating and, in due course, facilitating the implementation of best practice in relation to the services.

With the aim of progressing its interagency work on health and housing issues, Cosc has established a committee which comprises senior representatives from Cosc, the Health Service Executive and the Departments of Health and Children and Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The involvement of these organisations is important as the provision of refuge accommodation can be funded through the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government's voluntary housing programme while the Health Service Executive provides funding for the staffing of the refuges. The committee has agreed that the first steps in addressing the adequacy of safe accommodation provision is to conduct an assessment of the current system and to develop a needs assessment system informed by the National Housing Policy and policy to be included in the National Strategy on Domestic and Sexual Violence. The outcomes of this assessment and consultation work will inform decisions on any increase in the number of refuge spaces.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to provide that each Garda region will have a team extensively trained in the area of domestic violence. [19335/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as part of Student / Probationer training all members of An Garda Síochána receive training to prepare for and assist them in the investigation of incidents relating to domestic violence. They receive this in two modules, namely Social and Psychological studies and Legal and Policing studies. Additional training is provided as part of the Continuous Professional Development programmes and a dedicated training programme is provided for those selected for the Detective Branch. Continuous Professional Development incorporated domestic violence in the 1997 Core Programme for all members of Garda and Sergeant rank after the Domestic Violence Act came into force in 1996.

Furthermore, a policy document was issued to all members. The Core Continuous Professional Development Programme for 2006 contained a module on Sexual Crime, developed in consultation with the Rape Crisis Counselling Network and covered some areas pertinent to domestic violence. The situation is kept under constant review by Continuous Professional Development. A Specialist Child Interviewer Course has been developed and 21 members of An Garda Síochána have successfully passed the course to date. This intensive course trains the participants to interview children under 14 and persons with an intellectual disability. There is a Garda Inspector in each Garda Division nominated to monitor all incidents of domestic violence within the Division and to ensure that members of An Garda Síochána investigating such incidents adhere to the Garda Síochána Policy on domestic violence.