Vol. 406 No. 3
91 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to financially assist in the setting up of additional battered wives' centres; his views on whether there is an increasing need for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Accommodation is available in seven refuges or hostels in Dublin for battered wives and their families. While there is a constant demand for accommodation in the specialised units no women or family group is refused accommodation. If they cannot be placed in one of the specialised units they are offered accommodation elsewhere and transferred to one of the refuges when a vacancy arises.
Outside the Dublin area the health boards have access to refuges, hostels and alternative accommodation. Families seeking accommodation are facilitated by the health boards.
While there are no proposals at the moment regarding the provision of additional facilities, three health boards are currently examining the services which exist in their areas.
The Mid-Western Health Board are undertaking a research project into the use of the Adapt Refuge in Limerick. The Southern Health Board are examining the situation relating to the accommodation of battered wives and the homeless in general.
The Eastern Health Board have commenced an in-depth examination of the services for battered wives and their families in their area.
