Written Answers Nos. 80-99
80. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice if the reductions made in and to salaries and payments to a sector (details supplied) under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2017 have been reversed such that the remuneration and payments made to the sector will be and/or were reinstated to the levels applicable in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26339/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice if the reductions in salaries and payments to a sector (details supplied) made under the FEMPI Acts or under any other measure have not been reinstated, the reason therefore; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26554/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.
The coroners service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. All coronial districts, with the exception of Dublin, are the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. Coroners are independent office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department, has any function in the conduct of coronial business.
Remuneration rates for Coroners were reduced, in line with wider reductions in civil and public service remuneration on 29 April 2009.
Departmental officials are currently working on the request of the Coroner Society of Ireland for their fees to be restored to their pre-April 2009 levels. In this respect, the Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in respect of the restoration of Coroner fees. On their advices officials will now engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities which fund coroners outside of the Dublin district.
82. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of steyr rifle refresher courses held for armed Garda personnel to date in 2024. [26325/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of basic M3 shotgun courses held for armed Garda personnel to date in 2024. [26327/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 84 together.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training matters. As Minister, I have no role in this regard.
I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that two Steyr rifle refresher courses were conducted to date in 2024.
I am further advised that the Benelli M3 shotgun is an obsolete weapon and has been taken out of service by An Garda Síochána, and that no training courses were held to date in 2024.
83. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time probation officers, by grade, that are based in each Probation Office in Dublin in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [26326/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Probation Service, which is an executive agency of the Department of Justice, plays an important role in the criminal justice system in diverting people, in particular young people, away from criminal behaviour, supervising community sanctions imposed in lieu of a custodial sentence by the courts, as well as supervising people post release. The work they do contributes significantly to reducing reoffending and thus to keeping communities safer.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of full-time probation officers, by grade, based in each Probation Office in Dublin in 2023 and to date in 2024, is as set out in the table below.
|
Office |
Grade |
2023 |
2024 (to date) |
|
Dublin Community Service (Smithfield) |
PO |
6 |
5 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Dublin Court Liaison (Smithfield) |
PO |
5 |
7 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Restorative Justice |
PO |
1 |
1 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Ballyfermot |
PO |
3 |
3 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Dun Laoghaire |
PO |
2 |
2 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Bray |
PO |
3 |
3 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Dublin South Inner City Cork Street |
PO |
7 |
6 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Tallaght |
PO |
4 |
4 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Francis Street (The Bridge Project) |
PO |
1 |
1 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Homeless Offenders (Smithfield) |
PO |
6 |
6 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Dublin North Inner City (Smithfield) |
PO |
5 |
4 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Donaghmede |
PO |
4 |
4 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Blanchardstown/Finglas |
PO |
5 |
5 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Wheatfield/Cloverhill |
PO |
3 |
4 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Mountjoy Dochas/Shelton Abbey |
PO |
4 |
4 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Mountjoy Male |
PO |
3 |
4 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Arbour Hill |
PO |
2 |
2 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
YPP Dublin North |
PO |
4 |
4 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
YPP Dublin South |
PO |
3 |
2 |
|
SPO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Total |
PO |
71 |
71 |
|
SPO |
19 |
19 |
|
|
Total |
90 |
90 |
85. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice to detail the funding provided to youth diversion projects in each of the years 2012 to 2024, in tabular form. [26426/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of young people supported by youth diversion projects in each of the years 2012 to 2023, in tabular form. [26428/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 87 together.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to improve their quality of life and our commitment to expanding youth justice services and increasing funding reflects our commitment to young people. This commitment is a central point of our Youth Justice Strategy, launched in 2021, which provides a developmental framework to address key challenges and emerging issues in the youth justice area.
A top priority is the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs), which are fully funded by the Department of Justice. YDPs are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. On average the YDPs engage with between 3,500 and 4,000 young people across the country in any one year. These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protecting local communities.
The tables below outline the funding allocations for the YDPs and the number of participants in the YDPs per year.
FUNDING ALLOCATIONS PER YEAR 2012 - 2024 (in millions of euro)
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (to date) |
|
€10.9 |
€11.3 |
€11.3 |
€11.3 |
€13 |
€13.3 |
€13.7 |
€15.9 |
€17.6 |
€19.8 |
€26.3 |
€30 |
€32.9 |
Actual drawdown may differ due to budgetary requirements. Allocations include once off Capital Grants.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS PER YEAR 2012 - 2023
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
4,181 |
4,102 |
4,116 |
4,262 |
4,039 |
3,885 |
3,653 |
3,701 |
3,456 |
3,448 |
3,908 |
4,251 |
In Budget 2024, the funding allocated to overall Youth Justice Services increased by 10% to €33 million. This will facilitate an increase in the availability of YDP services in the evenings and at the weekends when many young people need them the most, as well as an increase in supports for families, interventions for typically hard-to-reach young people and early interventions for 8-11 year olds who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.
This increase in funding will also allow us to achieve our goal of full nationwide coverage for YDPs for the first time. This funding will be deployed with the assistance of the best available research and expert evidence to keep young people away from crime.
We know from international research that a number of factors place young adults in this age group at a higher risk of becoming involved in criminal behaviour. It is important to reach out to this age group and ensure they recognise they will not be abandoned and left to fend for themselves when they become young adults.
All of this work in the area of Youth Justice is central to this Government’s commitment to building stronger, safer communities. The Government’s commitment to helping the young people who need it has been reflected in our allocations of funding and resources to expand this network.
86. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice to detail the funding provided to the Probation Service in each of the years 2012 to 2024, in tabular form. [26427/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of children and young persons aged under 25 years directly supported by the Probation Service in each of the years 2012 to 2023, in tabular form. [26429/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the funding provided to community-based organisations through the Probation Service in the years 2012 to 2024, inclusive, in tabular form. [26430/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 88 and 89 together.
The Probation Service, which is an executive agency of the Department of Justice, has an important role to play in diverting people, in particular young people, away from criminal behaviour, supervising community sanctions imposed in lieu of a custodial sentence by the courts, as well as supervising people post release. The work that they do contributes significantly to reducing reoffending and thus to keeping communities safer.
In response to the question asked about the funding provided to the Probation Service in each of the years 2012 to 2024, I can advise it is as set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Total Funding Allocation to Probation Service €000 |
|
2012 |
40,171 |
|
2013 |
38,119 |
|
2014 |
37,295 |
|
2015 |
38,326 |
|
2016 |
38,963 |
|
2017 |
46,245 |
|
2018 |
46,721 |
|
2019 |
47,814 |
|
2020 |
48,936 |
|
2021 |
49,991 |
|
2022 |
50,377 |
|
2023 |
53,588 |
|
2024 |
56,998 |
The information requested on the funding provided to community-based organisations, Services to Offenders Budget, through the Probation Service in the years 2012 to 2024 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Services to Offenders Budget (part of overall allocation) €000 |
|
2012 |
€11,172 |
|
2013 |
€10,572 |
|
2014 |
€10,732 |
|
2015 |
€10,732 |
|
2016 |
€10,732 |
|
2017* |
€16,732 |
|
2018 |
€16,732 |
|
2019 |
€17,532 |
|
2020 |
€17,532 |
|
2021 |
€17,532 |
|
2022 |
€17,532 |
|
2023 |
€18,532 |
|
2024 |
€20,032 |
* From 2017, funding for YPP organisations transferred from IYJS to the Probation Service. The Budget allocation for Services to Offenders in YPP projects from years 2012-2016 is detailed below.
|
Year |
Amount (€000) |
|
2012 |
€4,964 |
|
2013 |
€4,861 |
|
2014 |
€4,982 |
|
2015 |
€4,962 |
|
2016 |
€4,932 |
In response to the Deputy's request for information on the number of children and young people aged under 25 years directly supported by the Probation Service in each of the years 2012 to 2023, this information is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Gender |
Under 18 years |
18-24years |
|
2023 |
Total
|
566 |
2,074 |
|
Male Female |
52046 |
1,849225 |
|
|
2022 |
Total |
516 |
2,088 |
|
MaleFemale |
47541 |
1,890198 |
|
|
2021 |
Total |
499 |
2,062 |
|
MaleFemale |
45940 |
1,835227 |
|
|
2020 |
Total |
432 |
1,694 |
|
MaleFemale |
40329 |
1,494200 |
|
|
2019 |
Total |
553 |
2,724 |
|
MaleFemale |
51637 |
2,401323 |
|
|
2018 |
Total |
586 |
2,667 |
|
MaleFemale |
52363 |
2,335331 |
|
|
2017 |
Total |
563 |
2,587 |
|
MaleFemale |
49468 |
2,285301 |
|
|
2016 |
Total |
598 |
2,741 |
|
MaleFemale |
55543 |
2,389352 |
|
|
2015 |
Total |
715 |
2,784 |
|
MaleFemale |
64966 |
2,461323 |
|
|
2014 |
Total |
690 |
2,947 |
|
MaleFemale |
63555 |
2,588359 |
|
|
2013 |
Total |
698 |
3,189 |
|
MaleFemale |
62771 |
2,794395 |
|
|
2012 |
Total |
710 |
3,384 |
|
MaleFemale |
64367 |
2,965419 |
90. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the timeframe for the establishment of community safety partnerships across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26431/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own communities.
Our approach to community safety is a whole-of-Government one. We want to bring the relevant social service providers and the Gardaí together with the community in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified by the local community itself.
The Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) are provided for in Part 3 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which was signed into law by the President in February 2024. It is my intention that the LCSPs will begin rollout across Ireland later this year.
In preparation for the national rollout of LCSPs, an Expression of Interest process is being undertaken by each Local Authority to identify a suitable Chairperson for each Local Community Safety Partnership over the course of the summer. I am hopeful that many communities will start to see Local Community Safety Partnerships established over the coming months.
The Partnerships will operate at local authority level and they will replace Joint Policing Committees (JPCs). The Partnerships will have a wider membership than JPCs and will include residents, local councillors, community representatives (including representatives of young people, older people, new and minority communities), business and education representatives and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the local authority.
Pilot partnerships have been running in Longford, Waterford and Dublin's North Inner City, and each has published a local community safety plan, which are available on the respective local authority websites. The plans set out a number of agreed actions to be undertaken by the members of the partnerships to enhance community safety in that area. Each newly established LCSP will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan and will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner; addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.
I will also be establishing a National Office for Community Safety, which will have responsibility for delivering the objectives of the national strategy. The National Office will provide training, guidance and other support to the Local Community Safety Partnerships.
91. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Review of Prison Visiting Committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26432/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe function of Prison Visiting Committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any person in custody. They report to the Minister for Justice any abuses observed or found by them in the prison and any repairs which they think may be urgently needed.
Implementation of the legislative recommendations arising from the review will be done by way of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill and so will be subject to the timeline of the legislative process. Drafting is underway and the Department intends to publish the Bill by the end of 2024.
Execution of the non-legislative recommendations is being carried out on a separate timeline within the Department of Justice and an implementation plan is under active development.
92. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of discharging a firearm offences that were notified to gardaí within the Meath division in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [26473/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the CSO publish statistics on the offence of ‘discharging a firearm’. This information can be found at the link below:
Quarterly at Regional level at data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 25 March 2024, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 4 (Q4) 2023. However, it is worth noting that crime statistics for Q1 of 2024 are not yet available and are due to be published by the CSO towards the end of June.
93. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed penalty notices gardaí issued for parking in a bus lane in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [26474/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the general management and administration of Garda business. This includes the enforcement of all applicable legislation and the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2023, a total of 442 Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) were issued for the offence of parking in a bus lane. I am further advised that in 2024 , up to the 13 June, a total of 295 FCNs were issued for the same offence. I am also advised that this information is based upon operational data and may be subject to change.
94. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the next two dates Garda recruits will attest from Templemore training college; and the next two dates new Garda recruits will enter the college, in tabular form. [26475/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis year I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase on 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of Garda recruits in 2024.
I have taken a number of measures to support increased recruitment into the Gardaí. This includes a 66% increase in the training allowance and increasing the age of entry from 35 to 50. The Government has also agreed to increase the mandatory retirement age for Garda members from 60 to 62.
A total of 746 trainees entered the training college in 2023. That was the highest intake in any year since 2018.
There are currently three classes in training in the Garda College, two having entered in 2023 and one in April this year. These trainees are expected to attest in June, September and December. Based on the current numbers, indications are that between 600 and 700 new Gardaí will attest this year.
As the Deputy knows, the Garda College was closed to new recruits during Covid and it is only since the pandemic restrictions were lifted that recruitment has fully resumed.
185 new recruits entered the College in April this year, the first class of 2024, and represents the highest intake since Covid. Three further intakes are planned for July, September and December of this year.
It is anticipated that the number of Garda members will begin to grow steadily throughout 2024. I expect the number of Garda members to grow during 2024 and continue to rise towards the current target of 15,000 during 2025.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the below table outlines the provisional dates for the next two intakes and attestations this year. Please be advised these dates are subject to change.
|
Date of Attestation |
28.06.2024 |
20.09.2024 |
||
|
Date of Commencement |
01.07.2024 |
23.09.2024 |
95. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions gardaí within the Meath division attended in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [26476/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer. Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously.
Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. The Garda Commissioner has recently confirmed that all uniformed Gardaí will undertake 30 minutes of high visibility roads policing in each tour of duty.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to keep people safe. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 representing a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. The Garda Commissioner informed the Joint Committee on Transport recently that he plans to add 75 Gardaí to Roads Policing this year and a further 75 in 2025.
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority continue to highlight to the public the dangerous behaviours which give rise to so many collisions and fatalities through road safety appeals and campaigns. Everyone who gets behind the wheel of a car, or is a passenger in a car has a role to play in ensuring that drivers behave in a safe manner.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines a breakdown, per year, of the number of Fatal and Serious Injury Collisions which occurred in the Districts of Navan, Trim, Ashbourne and Kells from 2022 up to 14 June 2024.
|
Year |
Traffic Collision resulting in fatality |
Traffic Collision resulting in serious injury |
|
2022 |
7 |
63 |
|
2023 |
7 |
66 |
|
2024 |
3 |
21 |
|
Grand Total |
17 |
150 |
The further table below outlines a breakdown of the number of those collisions in which a Garda member attended the scene:
|
Year |
Traffic Collision resulting in fatality |
Traffic Collision resulting in serious injury |
|
2022 |
7 |
54 |
|
2023 |
7 |
63 |
|
2024 |
3 |
20 |
|
Grand Total |
17 |
137 |
I am informed these figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2022 up to 13 June 2024, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the Pulse system as was available on 14 June 2024 and may be liable to change.
96. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on an employment permit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26500/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 1 May 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 8 May 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisionsIt should also be noted that the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not guarantee that a visa will be subsequently granted. There are two separate application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
97. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on an employment permit application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26501/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the visa application referred to was created on 1 May 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 8 May 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisionsIt should also be noted that the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) does not guarantee that a visa will be subsequently granted. There are two separate application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
98. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if a decision has been made on an application for an employment permit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26502/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 16 May 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 28 May 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisionsQueries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the work of Cuan to oversee the Government’s implementation of the actions set out in the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26510/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, at the start of this year.
Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
Under Budget 2024, in excess of €7.9m in additional funding for combatting DSGBV has been allocated to my Department.
This represents a significant increase and will support the implementation of the Zero Tolerance plan - including through the new agency, which has an overall budget of €59m for 2024.
The agency works in collaboration with the NGO and DSGBV services sectors to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors, including safe and accessible accommodation.
As the deputy's question relates to work being carried out by Cuan to oversee the implementation of the Third National Strategy, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.
