Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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99. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the work of Cuan to oversee the Government’s implementation of the actions set out in the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26510/24]

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 was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, at the start of this year.

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.

Under Budget 2024, in excess of €7.9m in additional funding for combatting DSGBV has been allocated to my Department.

This represents a significant increase and will support the implementation of the Zero Tolerance plan - including through the new agency, which has an overall budget of €59m for 2024.

The agency works in collaboration with the NGO and DSGBV services sectors to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors, including safe and accessible accommodation.

As the deputy's question relates to work being carried out by Cuan to oversee the implementation of the Third National Strategy, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.