Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2025
308. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí currently working in the protective services units in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36962/25]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a central priority for me, 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 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.
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána and my Department are continuing to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the system, so that victims will feel empowered to come forward and 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) 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.
An Garda Síochána have advised that there are a total of 428 gardaí working in Protective Services Units as of the 31 May 2025. The table at the following link offers a breakdown of staffing numbers by division.
