Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the policy and strategy documents published by him in relation to domestic and sexual violence during the past five years; the policy and strategy documents he will publish during the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29855/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of funding he has allocated to combating domestic and sexual violence for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29859/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date on which Cosc will publish the national strategic strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29873/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 549, 551 and 562, together.

Although documents such as the National Women's Strategy contain recommendations relating to domestic and sexual violence, no policy or strategy document solely focusing on domestic and sexual violence was published by my Department during the past five years. However, that a number of other documents published during that time have included references to these crimes. In June 2008 I published the framework document - 'Recommendations for Future Structures and Services to Victims of Crime', which was prepared by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime. The Framework Document acknowledges the particular needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence.

The 2008 Priorities for An Garda Síochána, as determined by me under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Acts 2005 to 2007 and set out in the 2008 Policing Plan included the priority "to cooperate with Cosc in curbing the problem of domestic violence". The 2009 Policing Plan includes key actions to address domestic and sexual violence.

A policy document on the management of sex offenders in prison entitled 'Reducing Re-offending, Enhancing Public Safety' was published by me in April of this year. The National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland 2009-2012, which I also published on 10 June, 2009, sets out the measures that have been taken and those which are planned to deal with, inter alia, prevention of trafficking for sexual exploitation, protection of victims and prosecution of offenders. As regards the year ahead, Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an executive office of my Department, is well advanced in the preparation of a national strategy in relation to the forms of violence concerned. A wide range of State and non-governmental organisations dealing with such violence is assisting with the development of the strategy. It is expected that work on the preparation of the strategy will be completed as planned by the end of this year with a view to publication in early 2010.

Funding for domestic and sexual violence has been and is provided through a range of activities and initiatives by my Department. These figures are being collated and a further reply will be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible.