Vol. 447 No. 1
287 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he intends to take to ensure that there is an adequate number of refuge places for women and children who are experiencing violence in Dublin in view of the fact that, of the 260 women who requested refuge, places were only found for 76 in the period from January to September 1994. [2983/94]
In the Eastern Health Board area there are three women's refuges at Rathmines, Ballymun and Bray providing secure refuge facilities for 17 families (approximately 63 women and children). The level of financial support provided by the board to these centres represents approximately 90 per cent of total expenditure. In an emergency other facilities, which primarily cater for homeless women, can also accommodate victims of domestic violence. There are also three units of accommodation for victims of family violence who, while no longer requiring refuge accommodation, are not yet ready for full re-integration into the community.
As I have indicated to the House on previous occasions, I regard the provision of refuges and other services for victims of domestic violence as an important component of the network of child care and family support services being developed under the Child Care Act. As part of the Eastern Health Board's 1994 Child Care Action Plan I approved additional funding of the order of £55,000 for refuge facilities, which is equivalent to £100,000 in a full year. I might add that the Eastern Health Board is currently carrying out a review of the services for victims of family violence in its area with a view to ensuring that there are adequate supports and services in place for this particularly vulnerable group.
