Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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110. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has liaised with the Minister for Social Protection on the matter of victims of domestic violence who are required to contact their abuser regarding payment of maintenance and the lack of guidance or protocol in this area. [31627/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. However, I understand that it is not the policy of the Department of Social Protection to have customers who are victims of domestic violence contact former abusive partners to seek maintenance. It is also my understanding that in such situations, claims are dealt with by that Department on an individual basis, are processed without delay and without the customer having to make contact with their former partner.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of her plans to introduce specialist Garda units to investigate sexual and domestic crimes. [31640/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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This is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. However, I understand that following on from the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation, An Garda Síochána have introduced a new domestic violence policy which was developed with input from the voluntary sector. An Garda Síochána have also established the National Garda Protective Services Bureau, led by a Chief Superintendent, with a new nationwide network of Garda Victim Liaison Service Offices with dedicated staff in each of the 28 Garda Divisions. I am informed that a number of specialist units to investigate sexual and domestic crimes will begin running on a pilot basis in quarter one 2017. Once these have been in operation for a sufficient time for lessons to be learned, work will commence on rolling out a nationwide network.