Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
594. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of domestic violence refuges that are in operation here; the catchment areas they serve; the average number of residents in each unit for 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53905/12]
View answer595. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the cost of running each of the State's domestic violence refuges; the amount budgeted for each domestic violence refuge in 2012; the staffing complement and resident capacity of each domestic violence unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53906/12]
View answer596. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of families who have been refused stay at a domestic violence refuge here in 2012; the number of residents accepted in the same year; if he will break these figures down by each individual refuge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53907/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 594 to 596, inclusive, together.
In 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and is lead by Cosc which is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The HSE subsequently published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The principal actions are in line with the National Strategy. The HSE’s policy states that a health-focused analysis of violence is crucial, not only because the consequences of such violence require a significant amount of healthcare system resources, but most importantly because the health care system is often the first route through which victims seek to access supports.
Nationally the HSE funds 42 frontline domestic violence service providers. 20 of these provide refuge accommodation and this number has risen from 15 since 2000. The services provide a wide range of supports such as crisis refuge, advocacy and counselling and were funded to the amount of €13.465M in 2012. The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
