Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

434. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which he evaluates the success of the zero tolerance strategy. [29400/26]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The evaluation of strategies and plans in relation to domestic, sexual or gender-based violence is one of the functions of Cuan under the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Act 2023. As the matter raised by the Deputy relates to a statutory function of Cuan, I have referred the question to the Agency for direct response to the Deputy.

I would like to reassure the Deputy that the Government and I are fully committed to the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and to ensuring that its impact is effectively measured and evaluated over time.

The Strategy is being delivered on a whole of Government basis, with oversight structures in place to monitor progress. As the Deputy will be aware, I recently published the progress report on the implementation of the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence for 2025. This is the third progress report developed by Cuan, but the first to cover a full year. The report highlights developments across key priority areas, including improving access to justice, advancing the National Emergency Domestic Violence Accommodation Plan, and progressing legislative reform for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

Following significant development work by Cuan, a more robust monitoring framework is now in place. This framework provides the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs with the necessary depth of information and visibility to oversee the implementation of the Zero Tolerance strategy effectively. With 22 government partners responsible for delivery, these enhanced insights ensure the accurate assessment of progress, as well as the ability to maintain the pace and scale required to meet national commitments.