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Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (1208)

Martin Browne

Question:

1208. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons from north County Tipperary that are referred to refuge accommodation in counties Limerick and Clare in each of the years 2016 to 2020 inclusive; his views on the lack of a refuge in north County Tipperary; his further views on the pressure it puts on such services in counties Limerick and Clare; and if there are plans to provide such a service in north County Tipperary. [19074/21]

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Written answers

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DGSBV). I have requested that Tusla respond directly on the aspect of the Deputy's question that relates to operational data. The Department of Justice will respond directly to the Deputy on referrals made by An Garda Síochána.

The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice. Capital funding for approved housing bodies, including services that provide refuge accommodation for victims of DSGBV, is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

There is currently no domestic violence refuge in North Tipperary. Tusla is undertaking a review of emergency accommodation nationwide due for publication in Q2 2021. This will assess the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies, and a Third National Strategy on DSGBV, which will inform future investments in this area.

It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible. I, along with my colleagues in government, am committed to ensuring future service provision is evidence based and designed to meet the holistic needs of individuals who experience domestic violence.

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