Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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577. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is considering a scheme similar to Operation Encompass being rolled out in Northern Ireland for children that are victims of domestic violence incidents to inform their schools in order that a holistic approach can be taken to their support and recovery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7676/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to continue to work with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, An Garda Síochána and Tusla on examining the feasibility of introducing elements of the Operation Encompass approach to this jurisdiction. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is taking the lead role in examining this issue.

This will be considered further as part of the new strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. As this is a child protection and welfare issue primarily, the Department of Children has lead responsibility in leading policy development in this area.

There are differences between the legal and constitutional position in this jurisdiction and the UK, and we will continue to examine if elements of the Operation Encompass approach can be adapted.

I can inform the Deputy that, in October 2020, having received correspondence from the Children's Ombudsman, Department officials consulted with An Garda Síochána in relation to the practicality of a child protection initiative along the lines of Operation Encompass, which was operating in England and Wales.

Operation Encompass involves the police service making immediate notification, within 24 hours, directly to teachers/principals after they have been called to a domestic violence incident in which children were a factor. The practice in the UK which involves police and teacher collaboration, differs from how cases are dealt with in this jurisdiction where there is contact with social services, or Tusla.

One key factor to bear in mind is that Children First does not operate in the UK and it would appear that there is limited interaction between police and social services except where a crime is disclosed. In contrast, in this jurisdiction, Garda policy provides that Tusla are to be notified of every domestic abuse-related incident affecting or involving children, which is not the case in other jurisdictions.