Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time.I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Combatting all forms of violence against women and sexual violence is a priority for this Government.

This is reflected in a record 25pc increase of €12m in Budget 2024 allocations and in the development of policy and legislation.

Through the Zero Tolerance Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence which I launched last year, we want to achieve a society which does not accept violence against women or the attitudes which underpin it.

Key to delivering on its ambition is the establishment of the new statutory based DSGBV Agency, which will be operational early next year.

The agency will have a core budget of €43m next year which will increase nationwide coverage, and will boost the momentum in implementing the Strategy’s ambitious goals.

Under the current Zero Tolerance implementation plan there are 144 actions assigned to various Departments, the majority of which have, or are, progressing in line with the specified timeframes.

• For example, legislation has been enacted to double to maximum sentence for assault causing harm to 10 years, and to introduce standalone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation;
• I commenced the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 earlier this month;
• The Sexual Violence Survey 2022 was published by the CSO providing high quality national prevalence data on sexual violence; and
• Awareness campaigns on intimate image abuse and victims of crime have been produced, with another on healthy sexual consent in development.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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341. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that on retirement, all gardaí employed since 1995 will be required to apply for jobseekers' payments for nine months; if she is aware of the concern this issue is causing garda members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49657/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Unfortunately it has not been possible to collate the requested information in the time requested. I will revert to the Deputy when the information is available.