Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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1119. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many fully-trained specialist interviewers there are within An Garda Síochána at present, in the context of the Barnahus Model of child welfare and abuse; the Garda divisions they are located in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37786/23]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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1121. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many specialist interviewers have been trained through An Garda Síochána’s training programme since 2020; how many are gardaí and how many are social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37790/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1119 and 1121 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I can also assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí who have received specialist interview training from 2020 up to 16 August 2023.

As the Deputy may be aware, Barnahus brings together forensic, child protection, medical, therapeutic and policing services in a child-centred way, when sexual abuse has occurred or is suspected. It is informed by international best practice, and is based on the Icelandic ‘Barnahus’ model.

The model will ensure close coordination and cooperation between key services, and support families in caring for their child throughout a difficult process, when fully developed as a national service.

It will also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of child sexual abuse services for the benefit of children who have suffered from sexual abuse and the families trying to support them, when fully developed as a national service.

I am informed that a pilot service in Galway was launched in September 2019. Since January 2022 services in Galway are operational in a bespoke centre on the outskirts of Galway city, which allows relevant agencies to provide services for children under one roof.

This project seeks to support the expansion of the Barnahus model of service, adapted to an Irish context. In addition to the dedicated centre in Galway, two further locations in the East and South will provide national coverage and access for victims and families to the service.

I am advised, by the Garda authorities, that there are currently 95 trained active specialist victim interviewers nationwide. The table below outlines the number of interviewers, broken down by Division.

Per Division;

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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1120. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many section 16 interviews took place in 2022; how many were conducted jointly by members of An Garda Síochána with a Tusla social worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37787/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the direction of investigation priorities for the organisation and the management of the PULSE system.

To be of assistance, I contacted the Garda authorities in relation to the information sought by the Deputy and I am advised that the information requested is not recorded in a structured manner on PULSE. As a result the information requested by the Deputy can not be reported on and I am unable to provide the requested statistics.