Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the third national strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; when the strategy will be published; the status of the examination of the public consultation on the strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16005/22]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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137. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the next steps following the closing of the date for submissions on the strategy for gender-based violence. [16083/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 137 together.

As the Deputies are aware, I am currently leading work on a new whole of Government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This new plan will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It will set an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

The strategy has been developed in partnership with the sector to ensure it is targeted, comprehensive and effective in achieving all of the goals set out. Last month I briefed those working in the sector on the progress of the strategy as part of that ongoing consultation, and a wider public consultation run by my Department has only recently concluded.

I will finalise the strategy for submission to government in light of submissions received in this final consultative phase.

The strategy and aims will be high level in tone and content. I am also working on finalising an accompanying action plan for the rest of this year and next year which will set out how each of these aims will be achieved, which Departments and agencies are responsible for them, and the timeframe for delivery, so that it is targeted, ambitious and deliverable.

I intend to bring both the finalised strategy and the action plan to Government in the coming weeks.

I have said on a number of occasions that this new plan will be the most ambitious to date, and I intend to deliver on that.