Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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350. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the board of the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency; the progress to-date on appointing members to the board; the timeline for when the board will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5271/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy (TNS) is the establishment of a statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency under the aegis of my Department. I established Cuan on 1 January 2024.

Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.

In line with good governance and practice, the legislation establishing the agency provides for a board which will include a chairperson and six ordinary members with experience variously in DSGBV matters, governance/public management, and other matters relevant to the functions of the Agency.

The Board will be appointed by, and report to me as Minister for Justice, following an appropriate open and competitive process.

I can advise the Deputy that an open competition for Board Members was advertised by State Boards and closed in December 2023 and the assessment process with State Boards is ongoing.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As part of its remit, the agency has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces and rape crisis centers.

As such, I have referred the questions posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As part of its remit, the agency has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces and rape crisis centers.

As such, I have referred the questions posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.