Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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492. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of charges under the Control of Horses Act 1996 in 2024. [9107/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters and the management of the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am advised that for the year 2024, there are records of 25 counts of charges/summons created under the Control of Horses Act.

I am informed that this data is operational and subject to change.

Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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493. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence offences (details supplied), in 2023 and 2024, broken down by Garda station in County Louth and in east Meath, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9123/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for this Government, for the Department and for the Garda Commissioner. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these crimes.

The Strategy, which was co-designed with the sector, also has a significant focus on improving the system for victims of these terrible crimes and on ensuring there is a full range of supports and services available nationwide to support and empower victims and survivors.

An Garda Síochána and my Department are continuing to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the system, so that victims will feel confident in coming forward to report what has happened to them and get justice.

An Garda Síochána prioritise and proactively respond to incidents of domestic abuse and the nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. There is now a DPSU in every Garda Division.

Legislative action has also been taken to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, including by introducing new offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation and by doubling to 10 years the maximum sentence for assault causing harm, one of the most common offences in domestic violence cases.

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy in relation to DSGBV offences in Louth and East Meath from An Garda Síochána. I will write to the Deputy further once this information is to hand.