Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
588. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the accusation that her Department and Tusla are using an outdated methodology to calculate the adequacy or otherwise of provision of domestic violence refuge places and supports as reported in the media (details supplied). [2665/19]
View answerI am aware of the media report referenced by the Deputy.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
The Council of Europe's document on minimum standards for support services for victims of domestic violence, "Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for Support Services", continues to be in effect. This document provides a detailed breakdown of minimum and aspirational standards that apply to a wide range of services for victims, including the level of provision of shelter places.
Tusla has advised me that it references this document in relation to all standards that apply to a wide range of services, including the level of provision of refuge spaces.
"Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for Support Services" references two standards: either one shelter space per 10,000 head of adult population, or one shelter space per 10,000 head of female population, with specific measures of population and calculation of shelter spaces. Tusla is currently applying the latter standard as the requirement for a lesser number of shelter spaces reflects a community focused integrated response for victims, where community-based organisations and outreach supports are in place alongside refuges.
This reflects the structure of services available in Ireland.
Tusla is liaising with Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, in relation to requirements under the Istanbul Convention.
A strong focus for Tusla is on geographical access to services and the provision of additional emergency refuge capacity nationally. As part of its planning to develop services, Tusla has commenced the process to review domestic violence refuge accommodation provision in order to ascertain if the current standard used is meeting its obligations under the Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). Tusla has advised me that the review of emergency domestic violence accommodation in the Dublin area will be completed by Quarter 4, 2019. I expect Tusla to publish the report once it has considered it.
Tusla will continue to work with service providers throughout the country in the provision of resources to victims of domestic violence, including emergency refuge accommodation, non-refuge accommodation, and community supports.
