Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1574. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide the most recent figures on calls made to An Garda Síochána relating to domestic abuse incidents in 2024 and to date in 2025, by region; the measures that are being taken to address this reported surge in cases. [45541/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence as a priority.

Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), sets out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these crimes. One of the key objectives of the strategy is to encourage victims of domestic violence to come forward and report the crimes committed against them. This is an important step because historically there has been an under reporting of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

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. The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which means there is now a DPSU in every Garda Division, and ensures that when 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.

I want to reassure anyone who is a victim, or at risk of, domestic or sexual abuse that help is available. I urge anyone who is in fear or danger due to domestic abuse or any other crime, to please contact the Gardaí as soon as it is safe to do so.

In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, An Garda Síochána have provided the information requested in the table below, which includes the regional total of domestic abuse calls reported between 01/01/2024 and 27/08/25 broken down by year.

Domestic Abuse Calls includes the following incidents:

• Breach of Barring Order
• Breach of Emergency Barring Order
• Breach of Safety Order
• Breach of Protection Order
• Breach of Interim Barring Order
• Domestic - No Offence Identified

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1575. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions brought in 2023 and 2024 under domestic violence legislation; and whether the Department has identified gaps in the criminal justice process that contribute to under-prosecution or attrition in such cases. [45542/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Prosecutions are a matter for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The DPP is wholly independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended) and, as Minister, I have no role in the operations, governance or oversight of the Office, which is funded through the Vote of the Department of the Taoiseach.

As a result, I am unable to provide any statistical information related to the work of the DPP.

Earlier this year, I launched the final implementation plan of the five-year National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Strategy, setting out the delivery targets and collective action to 2026.

The implementation plan contains 95 specific actions across our four pillars. It places strong emphasis on delivery, on collective responsibility, and on meaningful outcomes.

The implementation plan was developed by Cuan, our statutory DSGBV agency, in collaboration with my Department and through robust consultation with government partners and frontline organisations.

One of the four pillars of the Strategy – the Prosecution Pillar – is aimed at addressing the barriers to prosecution and supporting victims through that difficult process. Actions include enhancing skills and training for professionals and front line workers involved in DSGBV work; reforming the family law courts to better protect victims-survivors; strengthening policing and prosecution responses; reducing attrition rates and holding perpetrators to account.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1576. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current waiting times for victims of domestic abuse seeking access to refuge accommodation; and the plans his Department has to increase refuge capacity in line with recommendations from Safe Ireland and the Istanbul Convention obligations. [45544/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, this Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity by the end of 2026. Cuan has a key function to coordinate delivery of the capital programme to increase safe accommodation capacity. A capital programme of this scale to deliver safe accommodation is unprecedented in Ireland.

Cuan is working closely with Domestic Violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Department of Housing and the Housing Agency to coordinate local actions and to support local services with delivery.

Following a request from me, Cuan worked with services and partners to assess and review progress and identify a series of actions to accelerate delivery and to bring safe accommodation on stream as quickly as possible to meet the needs of those fleeing violence.

On foot of this review, completed in spring 2025, an additional 52 new family refuge units and 45 new safe homes will be delivered by the end of 2026. In addition, a further 50 new units will be under construction by the end of 2026.

As the first part of the Deputy's question relates to work under the remit of Cuan, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1577. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the training and support measures that are being put in place for gardaí handling domestic abuse calls, in particular in cases involving repeat incidents or high-risk victims, to ensure consistency of response across all Garda divisions. [45545/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) through sustained investment, robust policy measures and cross sectoral collaboration is a priority for me and for this Government.

Behind each contact is a person, usually a woman, often in crisis, who has taken the courageous step to seek help. That reality strengthens my resolve to ensure every victim receives the support, protection, and justice they deserve.

The Garda Commissioner and I are committed to ensuring that victims of DSGBV are met with a response that is informed, compassionate and effective.

An Garda Síochána have confirmed that dedicated training in relation to these types of crimes is a core component of their initial education programme for recruits, as well as for gardaí across all divisions.

In phase one of garda training, as part of the BA in Applied Policing, trainees complete 34 hours of instruction on domestic and sexual crime investigation with dedicated classes on domestic abuse investigation in phases two and three.

Trainees receive:

• an online presentation on the basics of domestic violence investigation where the importance of positive first contact with victims is highlighted.
• an in-person workshop on the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and An Garda Síochána policy on domestic abuse intervention.

• Utilise the Garda Decision Making Model and apply it to a scenario based on a domestic abuse incident. Offences such as assault, harassment and stalking are covered.
• Complete an in-person instructor-led workshop on the importance of the Domestic Abuse Risk Evaluation Tool in assessing the safety risks for the victim.
• Complete a class which recaps on the learning around domestic abuse, and receive online presentations in coercive control, post-incident engagement and file preparation.

• Domestic Abuse Online Training which is delivered over 9 Modules (4 hours). Currently 88% have completed this training.
• PULSE – Domestic Violence Orders – 4 Modules (1 hour). Currently there is an 82% national completion rate.
• Domestic Abuse Risk Evaluation Tool has a 70% national completion rate of required personnel.