Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
124. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to increase the funding and resources for services combating gender-based violence and assisting those impacted by Covid-19 given the well documented rise in gender-based violence during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48662/21]
View answerThe 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. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. My Department is working with key stakeholders across Government, Non-Government Organisations and agencies to progress work in this important area.
Tusla has funding of €30 million for DSGBV services in 2021, an increase of €4.7 million from 2020. This includes €28m in core funding to NGO service providers and an additional €2 million of once-off contingency funding being made available to help services cope with the ongoing effects of COVID-19. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Tusla has prioritised DSGBV services and actively engaged with involved services to provide continuity of support.
The additional funding secured in Budget 2021 reflects my commitment to victims of gender-based violence. These additional resources enable services to continue their valuable supports for victims and their families at a vulnerable time in their lives.
Additionally, this year, I have prioritised the development of legislative proposals for paid leave for victims of domestic violence. I am currently preparing a report with regard to the process to introduce paid domestic violence leave and benefit. When successful, Ireland will be one of the first countries in Europe to adopt domestic violence paid leave.
Tusla will soon publish its Review of the provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence which will assist in developing a plan to address the shortfall of adequate refuge provision and related matters. The recommendations of this review will be considered towards the 3rd National Strategy on DSGBV that is currently being developed under the leadership of the Minister for Justice.
