Vol. 471 No. 4
62 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need for a women's aid refuge in the greater Drogheda area of County Louth; if so, the plans, if any, he has to assist voluntary groups in the area in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20818/96]
The North-Eastern Health Board is in discussion with a number of voluntary groups concerning the provision of a refuge in Drogheda. These groups are to consider among themselves the creation of an appropriate umbrella organisation, with a view to harnessing the goodwill and energy that exists within the individual groups. Further discussions are then planned with the health board and other statutory agencies to formulate a proposal for a refuge along the model of the existing facilities at Navan and Dundalk. the question of funding for a new refuge would, in the first instance, be a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board.
