Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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151. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the timetable for the development of district protective services units in An Garda Síochána. [41840/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 envisages a range of actions to be implemented by State, voluntary and community sector organisations aimed at preventing and responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. An Garda Síochána is committed to supporting this strategy, and in 2015 a number of Garda units were brought together to leverage their experience and expertise in investigating serious crimes against the person including sexual offences to form the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB).

The GNPSB is a specialist team dedicated to making sure each and every complaint relating to child protection, human trafficking and domestic and sexual violence is thoroughly investigated and handled correctly. In addition, the GNPSB is responsible for working with other agencies to manage sex offenders in the interest of community safety. As part of the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 Protective Services Units (PSUs) are to be established in every Garda Division with specially trained staff. These PSUs are to ensure a consistent approach to domestic abuse and sexual crime, which will be supported by the national Bureau. The PSUs will work with the Garda Victim Service Offices in their area to ensure that the needs of victims are adequately catered for.

I am advised by the Commissioner that these Divisional PSUs are being rolled-out in two phases. Phase 1 involves the establishment of three Units over a 12-month period on a pilot basis. The pilot Divisions that have been identified are the DMR West, Cork City, and the Louth Division. The assessment of this pilot phase will inform the bigger roll-out to each Garda Division.

This initiative is being managed by Detective Chief Superintendent, Garda National Protective Services Bureau in conjunction with each Divisional Officer and the Strategic Transformation Office which is overseeing the delivery of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme.