Skip to main content
Normal View

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Questions (344, 345, 346, 349, 350)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

344. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures and assessment tools in place to assess whether housing authorities are meeting the objectives and goals set by guidelines (details supplied); the person or body that is measuring and assessing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18572/20]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

345. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if housing authorities are meeting set objectives (details supplied); if local domestic abuse services are being adequately resourced to meet the needs of domestic violence survivors with housing needs; his plans to increase resourcing in the area in view of an increase in demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18573/20]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

346. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if it is possible for all housing authorities to meet objectives that would require linking with local services as best practice in view of the fact that local services and refuge spaces are not available in each county and local authority; the guidelines that have been issued in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18574/20]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

349. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Rebuilding Ireland: Policy and Procedural Guidance for Housing Authorities in Relation to Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence with Emergency and Long-term Accommodation Needs; (Circular 2/17) has considered the fact that it was reported in 2019 that the Child and Family Agency is applying a standard of one shelter space per 10,000 of the female population in view of the fact the Council of Europe has set the standard at one place per 7,500 of the population and one family place per 10,000 of the population; if there has been a review, assessment, monitoring or evaluation of Action No 1.8 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, page 90; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18577/20]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

350. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the findings of the Tusla review or the Rebuilding Ireland action plan objective 1.8 found that Ireland does not have an adequate number of domestic violence refuge spaces as per the figures set by the Council of Europe; the way in which he plans to respond to this to ensure increased funding and capacity within the refuge system to ensure access across all counties for victims requiring urgent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18578/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 344, 345, 346, 349 and 350 together.

Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and I understand that the delivery of these services is managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.  As such, the matters raised by the Deputy in relation to the resources provided to support victims of domestic violence and capacity in refuges is a matter for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.  

In terms of housing services and in line with Action 1.8 of Rebuilding Ireland, in 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to housing authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims of domestic violence.  The guidance was introduced with the objective of supporting a partnership approach by statutory agencies in respect of the delivery of domestic violence services, particularly in relation to helping to prevent and reduce the occurrence of related homelessness and facilitating the provision of long term accommodation for victims of domestic violence. 

Top
Share