Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
146. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a commitment will be given to increase the number of domestic violence refuge spaces above the current allocation of one refuge space for every 10,000 persons; his views on the current review being undertaken by Tusla into emergency accommodation; when the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48269/21]
View answerThe Council of Europe convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, better known as the Istanbul Convention, is a human rights treaty of the Council of Europe.
The Istanbul Convention sets out signatory obligations. However, it does not set out a single standard or recommended number of refuge spaces. Article 23 specifically refers to shelters, which should be accessible and “in sufficient numbers” to provide a place of refuge to victims.
A policy document "Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for Support Services", published by the Council of Europe, references two standards: either one shelter space per 10,000 head of adult population, or one shelter space per 10,000 head of female population. These standards employ specific mechanisms for measuring population and calculation of shelter spaces.
In line with reporting conventions previously used by the Department of Justice, Tusla has applied the standard of one shelter space per 10,000 head of female population. This reflects the community-focused integrated response for victims, where community-based organisations and outreach supports are in place alongside refuges. This is in contrast to some other states that may not have a range of other support services such as those available in Ireland.
Tusla’s ‘Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence’ has been completed and is undergoing the final edit for publication. Once this process is completed, the Review will then be published by Tusla, which I anticipate will be over the coming weeks. The Review assesses the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation and has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities.
The Review represents my commitment to prioritising and supporting victims of DSGBV. My Department will engage with Tusla, Non-Government Organisations, that play a key role in this area, other relevant Government Departments and Agencies, particularly the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Justice, to progress work in this area. It is important that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible.
