Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
547. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional funding in budget 2021 to provide for the additional domestic violence refuge places to be delivered on completion of a Tusla review of domestic violence accommodation. [34681/20]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV), including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies.
In 2020 my Department provided €25.3m to Tusla for DSGBV services. Additional funds were allocated during 2020 for additional costs incurred due to COVID-19. The strategic review of emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence that Tusla is currently undertaking is due to be finalised in Q2, 2021.
I am pleased to have secured significant additional funding for Tusla in Budget 2021 which, I believe, will help the Agency more fully achieve its vision. No specific allocation has yet been made in respect of additional refuge places. The exact details of where Tusla's additional funding is allocated will be finalised in Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021.
Capital costs for the development of refuges are not the responsibility of Tusla. Delivery of additional family units of accommodation will require significant funding, planning and collaboration between Government Departments, local authorities and State agencies.
