Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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213. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of reported cases of domestic violence in each of the six regions of the Dublin metropolitan region for 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52700/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistics agency, is responsible for the publication of the official Recorded Crime Statistics; domestic violence incidents are not currently recorded as a separate category within the classification system.

Cosc (the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence), An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, and the Probation Service are all currently working on a State Data Committee with the Central Statistics Office and Tusla under the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based violence 2016 – 2021 in order to improve data availability and disaggregation in the area of data on domestic violence. Specifically, the Second National Strategy provides for the establishment of a gold standard with regard to the collection and analysis of data under a range of categories.

Similarly, the recently established Data Working Group, chaired by Cosc, with representative members from non-government organisations including Women’s Aid, SAFE Ireland and Sonas Domestic Violence Charity Ltd. are currently devising a work plan to advise on the enhancement of data collection in the area.

I am advised that the recording of incidents relating to domestic abuse is closely monitored by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau to ensure:

· a uniform approach is maintained in the recording and investigation of such incidents;

· that records accurately reflect such violence/abuse; and

· that victims receive appropriate supports from members of An Garda Síochána, in the monitoring, managing and investigation of such incidents and from other state and non-governmental organisations within the community

I am advised by the Garda authorities that work is ongoing, including appropriate consultations with the CSO, to ensure that appropriate quality assurance processes are put in place, with a view to publishing relevant statistical information in due course.

Work to address the full range of the Garda Inspectorate’s recommendations, including in relation to data quality, is ongoing and is supported by very large investments totalling €330 million from 2016-2021 for Garda technology and systems, including €250 million under the Capital Plan.

I can assure the Deputy that significant work is underway to improve the collection of data relating to the recording of domestic violence. While progress has been made, further incremental improvements will occur over time, resulting in the delivery of far more robust data to support An Garda Síochána in analysing and improving their service to victims of domestic violence.