Ministers O'Callaghan and McEntee announce government approval to progress Operation Encompass
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 10 Samhain 2025
- Operation Encompass is an early intervention strategy which aims to provide immediate support for children impacted by domestic violence
- it involves An Garda Síochána notifying the school where the child attends that there was a domestic violence incident in the home so that a teacher can provide care and support
- measures on information sharing included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, and the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, have announced government approval for the drafting of legislation which will allow for information sharing between An Garda Síochána and schools in order to strengthen protection for children impacted by violence in the home.
The General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025 includes measures to allow Gardai to inform a designated person in a school that a domestic violence incident has occurred in a pupil’s home – similar to the Operation Encompass early intervention strategy already in place in Northern Ireland.
It has been established to ensure a child’s school will be informed at the appropriate time that a domestic violence incident has occurred in the home of the child. The school is made aware so that the child can receive additional support in their care and learning following the incident.
Minister O’Callaghan said:
“Children are particularly vulnerable when domestic violence occurs. Operation Encompass is a concrete and practical means of ensuring that children impacted by domestic violence receive understanding, care and support when they most need it in a school setting.
“Teachers are not expected to take any action, other than being sensitive to the fact that the child may have witnessed a distressing incident of domestic abuse. The discreet support will be based on the needs and wishes of the child. An Garda Síochána will only be allowed to share with the school that a domestic violence incident occurred in the household. No other details will be provided.
“I look forward to working closely with Minister McEntee and our officials to develop the best implementation model for Operation Encompass in Ireland that will support its introduction and operation in every school throughout the country.”
Under Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, there is an action to scope and develop an operational framework to introduce a scheme along the lines of Operation Encompass in the Irish system in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders.
Government officials are working closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to draw on experiences and learnings to inform the operationalisation of Operation Encompass here.
Minister McEntee said:
“Children who witness or experience domestic abuse often carry that fear and confusion into the classroom. Operation Encompass is about making sure the adults around them know, so that a quiet word, a moment of understanding, or a bit of extra support is there when it’s most needed. Small acts of awareness can change the course of a child’s day, and sometimes their life. It’s a simple idea, but one that can make an extraordinary difference.
“Timely school support helps children feel safe and seen, improving emotional regulation and learning outcomes. For some children, school is the only safe place - knowing what’s happening at home helps staff protect that space. When I launched the Zero Tolerance strategy as Minister for Justice, our aim was to create a society where domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is never tolerated. Operation Encompass is a key step in delivering on that ambition.
“The legislative provision approved by Cabinet lays the groundwork for the implementation of a scheme similar to Operation Encompass in Ireland by addressing concerns around the ability of An Garda Síochána to share information relating to domestic violence with schools."
Ongoing scoping work around implementation of the scheme will include a cross-border learning event to draw on insights and experiences from the implementation of Operation Encompass in Northern Ireland, which commenced via a pilot programme in September 2021, informing a broader roll out to covering all schools in the North. Key stakeholders from both sides of the border will be invited to attend and engage in this event.