Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
23. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific measures within the zero tolerance strategy that experienced 'major delivery issues', including the research and data plan on the scale of sexual violence and the development of referral pathways for survivors; the revised timelines for delivery of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34693/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and I are fully committed to the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The Strategy runs to end-2026 and delivery is being actively accelerated across all areas.
The Third Progress Report on implementation, which I published on 31 March 2026, notes that six actions, representing 6.32% of all actions in the Implementation Plan, are reporting ‘major delivery issues’. It is important to note that this indicates delay relative to original timelines, rather than actions being discontinued or deprioritised.
These actions include a national framework for working with perpetrators through co-design, a research and data plan, multi-agency approaches to offender management, prison-based referral pathways and interventions for individuals with a history of domestic violence.
On research and data, significant progress has been made in strengthening the evidence base on the scale of DSGBV. The CSO Sexual Violence Survey, developed with my Department and published in 2023, provides the national prevalence baseline and remains a key reference point for policy.
The CSO is also working with Cuan and my Department on a new EU-aligned Gender-Based Violence survey under Eurostat coordination, which will strengthen official statistics and ensure international comparability. The survey is expected to go live in late 2027, with results in 2028.
While Cuan has delivered a significant range of research outputs to date, one 'major delivery issue' identified in the report relates to the wider Cuan research and data plan which has been delayed due to staffing and project constraints within the research function. These issues are being addressed through mitigation measures: Cuan has developed a research commissioning plan and established a research advisory committee to strengthen delivery and oversight.
In relation to referral pathways and supports for victims and survivors, significant work continues across Departments and specialist services, including sustained funding for frontline services and the development of a national service delivery plan to strengthen and standardise pathways.
Departments and agencies continue to progress implementation through established governance structures under Cuan, with delivery being accelerated across all areas in the remaining period of the Strategy.
