Written Answers Nos. 477 to 481
477. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to have an application for registration in the Land Registry immediately expedited, in respect of a company (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23901/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy may be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round. I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.
479. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the multi-party legislation, and the implementation of this important and significant legislation, which addresses collective redress mechanisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23936/15]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this Question which I assume to refer to the issue of multi-party litigation which was the subject of a Report and recommendations by the Law Reform Commission in 2005 (LRC 76-2005). The Report was not carried forward by the Government of the day which took a cautious approach. The implementation of the Report at this remove, and the introduction of any legislation to enable the type of collective legal action envisaged would, therefore, remain matters for the Government and the Oireachtas who would have to be convinced of their merits and impacts in the public interest - including in terms of the sustainability of a collective action regime and its potential costs to the parties concerned and to the Exchequer. These are also issues which would require the inputs of several Government Departments impacting as they do on areas of law such as those of consumer protection, competition, the environment and the provision of financial and other services. Consideration would also have to be given to the relevant intervening developments that have taken place at the national, European Union and wider international levels. While not part of the current Legislation Programme, therefore, this is a complex area of legislative reform that will require renewed and thorough consideration and, on that basis, I am happy to keep it in mind for possible inclusion in any future legislative programme that may be considered by the Government.
480. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total funding allocated by his Department and its agencies, and through any grant systems operated by his Department, in tabular form, for each of the past four years, in relation to assisting support groups, associations or any other such body which assist families who suffer from domestic violence; the total funding drawn down in each year, in tabular form, in relation to the stated applications of each group, association or body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23331/15]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
481. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide any further financial assistance, through his Department or through the Health Service Executive, to a housing association (details supplied) in County Kildare which requires additional funds to provide required services, including accommodation to women seeking refuge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23706/15]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, works in partnership with Teach Tearmainn to provide a range of services to women experiencing domestic violence and abuse in Kildare.
Teach Tearmainn's Women and Children’s Refuge comprises four apartments and provides a place of safety and support to women and children who require it. Two of the apartments are now in operation and their running costs are provided for by Tusla.
Tusla is providing funding of €254,000 to Teach Tearmainn in 2015 and this funding has been maintained at the same level as funding in 2014. A grant of €80,000 that was originally diverted from other Tusla resources in 2014 has been included as core funding for the service in 2015. There was no budgetary provision for Teach Tearmainn refuge costs prior to the establishment of Tusla, in 2014.
The work of Teach Tearmainn in responding to and supporting victims of domestic violence is recognised and valued.
Tusla's focus has been on maintaining and supporting the provision of frontline services to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence. There is for the first time a consolidated national budget for domestic and sexual violence services and an opportunity for more co-ordinated and equitable provision of these services across the country.
Future planning for Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence services will seek to address gaps, avoid duplication and support effective delivery of frontline services nationally. Further developments in domestic violence services in County Kildare will be considered as part of Tusla’s overall commissioning processes.
