Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he has in regard to domestic violence against women (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43557/08]

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. A round of regional consultations with State and non-governmental organisations is taking place, which includes a consultation in Waterford city today for organisations in the south east.