Thank you for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter in the House. May I share my time with my constituency colleague, Deputy Flaherty?
Adjournment Debate. - Dublin Northside Women's Refuge.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
In June 1990 I took part in an Adjournment debate on the funding crisis faced by the Aoibhneas women's refuge in Ballymun which caters for the northside of Dublin city, which was then threatened with closure due to a shortage of money. On that occasion money was found to allow the refuge to continue its vital work. Unfortunately, no permanent solution was found to the funding difficulties, almost two years later history has repeated itself and the refuge which caters for the entire northside of the city is again in serious difficulties.
At present the refuge has funding to allow it to operate for another five weeks and, unless money is found, it will once again face closure, which would be a disastrous outcome for the women and children who depend on its services.
The "Today Tonight" programme transmitted early last month depicted in very graphic terms the plight of women suffering from male violence. The programme suggested that Dublin should have 112 bed spaces to cater for the needs of the women and children who are forced to flee from their own homes as a result of domestic violence.
The only refuge on the northside of the city has been operating for several years in a single two bedroomed flat and has just recently acquired an adjacent flat with one bedroom. In other words, instead of the 50 plus bed places estimated to be needed, Aoibhneas have just three bedrooms to cater for the whole northside of Dublin. The inevitable overcrowding is apalling, the two bedroomed flat normally caters for four families, two families per bedroom. This means an average of two women and six children. Last year Aoibhneas had to turn away more than 200 families simply because there was no room for them. The refuge had a bed occupation of more than 3,000, nearly 400 callers per day and over 1,000 telephone calls. There are six full-time and one part-time staff and it is only as a result of their dedication and commitment that the refuge has remained in operation.
It is estimated that it will take a sum of £100,000 to run the refuge this year, even with running costs kept to a minimum and wages at rock bottom level. However, it appears that total funding from the Eastern Health Board this year will be less than 50 per cent, leaving a shortfall of more than £50,000. At the best of times it would be difficult for a small voluntary refuge to raise this money but with the difficulties all voluntary organisations face as a result of the success of the national lottery it leaves them with an impossible task.
The failure of the Eastern Health Board to adequately fund the refuge makes neither economic nor social sense. The Eastern Health Board have spent £53,000 on bed and breakfast accommodation in Dublin as a result of the lack of refuge space. This is enough to make up the shortfall in Aoibhneas funding for 1992. How much more will the Eastern Health Board have to spend on bed and breakfast accommodation if Aoibhneas closes as a result of lack of funding. I appeal strongly to the Minister not to allow this to happen by ensuring that sufficient funds are provided for the rest of the year and that annual funding is placed on a proper basis to ensure that the refuge can plan properly. In the longer term adequate funds must be provided to allow them to acquire a site to set up and run a proper purpose-built refuge for the northside of Dublin city.
I thank Deputy De Rossa for giving me the opportunity of joining with him in appealing to the Minister for proper short term and long term funding of the Aoibhneas Women's Refuge in Ballymun. I too received what amounted to a desperate appeal from the small group of committed volunteers who are operating a vital service in the Ballymun area which serves the rest of Dublin northside. Indeed, their catchment area stretches into north County Dublin and adjoining areas. I appeal to the Minister to fund them properly not just on this occasion but in the long term because the demand on their service is evidence of the great need for it. The number they have to turn away indicates a need for a more substantial facility, preferably in purpose-built accommodation properly suported and funded by the Eastern Health Board.
Aoibhneas operate under impossible conditions from three bedrooms. They have to meet the level of demand indicated by Deputy De Rossa. They do so only because there is a tremendous commitment from the voluntary organisations locally. This is, however, a totally inadequate response to the problems of violence. It is a crying shame that so little is on offer. The organisation have indicated to us very strongly that within five weeks all their resources will be exhausted unless an immediate solution is found. I appeal for immediate help. In addition I ask the Minister not to let the matter sit for another 12 months, because we will have to come back and appeal for funding. The Minister should put some long term arrangement in place for Aoibhneas.
I share the Deputies' concern about the problem of family violence and the need to ensure there is adequate alternative accommodation for the unfortunate women and children who find themselves victims of that violence.
Accommodation is available in seven refuges and hostels in Dublin for women and children who have to leave their homes as a result of violence. I understand that the level of demand for emergency accommodation is sometimes beyond the capacity of the specialised units. Where this happens, the victims of domestic violence are offered accommodation elsewhere on an emergency basis and transferred to one of the refuges as soon as possible.
Funding of the various refuges is primarily a matter for the Eastern Health Board. The Aoibhneas Womens Refuge in Ballymun was initially largely funded through the social employment scheme operated by the Department of Labour. However, since mid-1990 funding has been provided by the Eastern Health Board. In 1991 the refuge received £43,500 from the health board and I understand the proposed grant in respect of 1992 is £50,000.
I understand that Aoibhneas are anxious to expand their services and that discussions have been taking place with Dublin Corporation with a view to acquiring a site. As Aoibhneas have been granted the status of an approved body under the terms of section 5 of the Housing Act, 1988, they would be eligible to apply for financial assistance towards the cost of building accommodation under the voluntary housing scheme. I am also aware that Women's Aid have had discussions with Dublin Corporation concerning the provision of second stage housing accommodation for families displaced by domestic violence. The proposal involves the provision of up to 30 houses for families where continuing support could be given to them.
I understand from Dublin Corporation that a site on the north side of the city has been reserved for the Women's Aid project. The group's intention would be to apply under the voluntary housing scheme for financial assistance towards the cost of building the accommodation. Women's Aid have already received a grant of £25,000 from the Department of Social Welfare towards the overall cost of the project. The provision of the proposed second stage housing and the planned expansion by Aoibhneas Womens Refuge — if they are successful in acquiring a suitable site — would facilitate the freeing up of places in the existing facilities.
I will ask the Eastern Health Board to continue to monitor the situation carefully and keep me fully informed of developments. I will do whatever I can to have the matter of funding raised by both Deputies tonight re-examined in the light of their contribution to see what can be done to ease the situation in the short term and in order to plan for the long term.