Written answers

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Domestic Violence

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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727. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times Gardaí have been called to the scene of domestic violence in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025. [17145/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) remains an absolute priority for this Government, for me as Minister for Justice and for the Garda Commissioner.

'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), sets out an ambitious whole of government 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.

A significant objective has been to encourage victims of Domestic violence to come forward and to report the crimes that are being committed against them. This is an important step because historically there has been an under reporting of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. I welcome that more people who have been impacted are coming forward.

Under Budget 2025, funding to tackle DSGBV has increased to €70 million. Since 2020, funding for these services has tripled.

Funding for Cuan has increased to almost €67 million, strengthening the resources needed to implement the Zero Tolerance Strategy effectively.

I am working to create a criminal justice system that better supports vulnerable victims. This is with a view to encouraging more victims to come forward and report what has happened, confident in the knowledge that the system will support and protect them.

As part of that work, there are now divisional protective service units (DPSUs) across the country with specially trained officers who will engage with, and support, vulnerable victims.

I have contacted An Garda Síochána with the Deputy's query but have been informed that they are unable to provide the information requested before the question falls due for answer. I will revert to the Deputy when I am provided with the information.

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