Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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306. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if, in her work to tackle gender-based violence, she will consider allocating additional resources and budget allocations to investigate unsolved murders of women in Ireland from previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4024/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will agree, resources are fundamental to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Budget 2022 has provided an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, which includes funding for the recruitment of 800 additional Garda Trainees and 400 Garda staff. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe and prevent crime in all its forms.

Separately, Minister O'Gorman has secured an increase of €41m for Tusla under Budget 2022. This includes the budget which will be allocated to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence frontline services.

Also under Budget 2022, some €13m was allocated to my Department to help tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence – this was a €5m increase on previous years, and reflects the fact that tackling these crimes and supporting victims is a priority for this Government.

Last November, I confirmed details of 18 organisations to receive funding primarily for regionally based domestic abuse services in an effort to increase these organisations' abilities to support victims, especially given the rise in those seeking help during the pandemic. A total of €445,000 was allocated.

The Deputy will appreciate that the manner in which all Garda investigations are conducted, including unsolved murders, and how resources are deployed are matters for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. As Minister, I have no role in this regard.

That said, I am informed that the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) continue to review serious cases that remain unsolved. The SCRT is concerned with the review of unresolved historical and current major crime incidents, with the primary aim of assisting in identifying new investigative opportunities in a case.

The SCRT is committed to establishing and identifying new lines of enquiry that might support the lawful cultivation of more evidence with a view, ultimately, to a prosecution. This will invariably involve an assessment of all investigative actions undertaken thus far.