Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2015
453. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he and his officials are aware that a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 24 may have to close in December 2015 due to lack of funding; if he was requested to provide funding; his plans to take action to prevent its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34370/15]
View answer454. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware that a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 24 may have to close in December due to lack of funding; if he was requested to provide funding; the actions he plans to prevent its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34403/15]
View answer455. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware that a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 24 may have to close in December 2015 due to lack of funding; if he has been requested to provide funding; the actions he plans to prevent its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34404/15]
View answer464. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware that a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 24 may have to close in December 2015 due to lack of funding; if he has been requested to provide funding; the actions he plans to take to prevent its closure because of its negative impact on children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34405/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 453 to 455, inclusive, and 464 together.
The Centre referred to by the Deputy provides accommodation for women and children who may have been in emergency accommodation provided by domestic violence refuges. I understand that the Centre was established independently of the State. It opened in 2012 and has been funded by Respond Housing Association.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency allocates available funding for domestic violence to emergency refuge accommodation services and community-based domestic violence supports.
I am advised that the Centre does not operate as a front line emergency domestic violence service, rather it provides 'step down' or 'transitional' accommodation to support a transition into a permanent settled home. This can include survivors of domestic violence who are transitioning from emergency services to a new, permanent home.
Officials from my Department and Tusla recently met with Respond, at the housing association’s request, to discuss the situation in the Centre. The Department sought additional information from Respond, including information in relation to the housing association's financial well being. The most recent information provided indicates that Respond, which is made up of two companies, remains in good financial health.
I hope that the matter can be satisfactorily resolved, by allowing sufficient time for all avenues to be explored by the relevant parties. This will need to include discussion with other parties, including the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government as it would appear that these families have pressing housing needs.
