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Domestic Violence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2021

Wednesday, 29 September 2021

Questions (162)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

162. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions the State is taking to realise its obligations under the Istanbul Convention signed in 2011 to provide one space in domestic violence refuges per 10,000 women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46981/21]

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Written answers

The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Separately, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility in terms of capital provision for the development of new refuges.

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) sets out signatory obligations but does not set out a standard or recommended number of refuges. A policy document "Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for Support Services", published by the Council of Europe, references two possible standards depending on the types of service provision in place. Tusla has applied the standard of one shelter space per 10,000 head of female population, with specific mechanisms for measuring population and calculation of shelter spaces. This standard applied by Tusla, reflects the community-focused integrated response for victims, where community-based organisations and outreach supports are in place alongside refuges. 

Tusla’s ‘Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence’ has been completed. Minister Naughton and I brought an Information Memorandum to the Government in July, outlining that this Review will present recommendations on the future configuration of accommodation and services that may be required to holistically meet the needs of victims of DSGBV.

We agreed that the recommendations of the Review will be discussed and actions agreed towards future investment in refuge provision as part of the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, which is due to be published later this year.

The Review was also presented to the Monitoring Committee for the National Strategy on the 23rd September, with a view to achieving a national consensus with the NGO sector on Ireland’s response to these needs. Any decisions with regard to developing or funding new services will be made in accordance with the findings of the Review and these engagements.

It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible. I remain committed to working with all stakeholders to develop the required infrastructure for DSGBV policy and services to be dealt with in as efficient a manner as possible.

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