Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects to establish a domestic violence prevention office for victims of domestic abuse; when he plans to set up the domestic violence fund; and the approximate amount to be placed in the fund. [40079/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's commitment to tackling domestic violence is 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. Its major priority is to produce a National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence which has the support of State and Non-governmental Organisations in the sector. This strategy will set out the policy on addressing the forms of violence concerned as well as the preventative and responsive actions to be taken by a broad range of organisations to ensure a well co-ordinated system is in place. Work on preparing the strategy is well advanced. There was a good response to a call for submissions earlier in the year and a round of regional consultations with Non-governmental Organisations is due to commence in coming weeks. Cosc has also commenced a research project to map the relevant services currently available in Ireland for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and this work will also inform the strategy. The commitments in the Programme for Government to establish a Domestic Violence Prevention Office and a Domestic Violence Fund are being addressed in the context of work on the national strategy.