Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
936. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 807 of 5 November 2024, if the necessary information has been supplied to her Department by the Garda Authorities for this PQ to be answered. [46408/24]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence remains a priority for this Government, for my Department 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.
The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) - which ensure 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 - was an action under both the 'Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland' and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’ and there is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that when consideration is given to the allocation of resources, account is taken of commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
To ensure the continued level of delivery of policing services within Garda Divisions, local and Senior Garda Management are also consulted during the allocation of personnel and are responsible for the specific deployment/assignment of duties being undertaken at Divisional level.
The situation remains closely monitored by the Garda Senior Leadership Team, particularly in view of commitments to the continued roll-out of the Operating Model of policing at Divisional level to ensure optimum use of all Garda Resources in providing the best possible Garda service to the community.
I am advised that the Garda authorities that there are less than 10 Detective Gardaí attached to the Meath Divisional Protective Service Bureau. I am further advised that the Garda authorities will not report on numbers that are less than 10 for operational reasons.
