Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
175. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress of the Tusla review of the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5436/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the review by Tusla to which she refers is completed. I had intended that it would have been published in January. I intend to submit a joint Memorandum for the Information of the Government with my colleague Minister Mc Entee on the matter shortly, at which time Tusla will publish the Review.
Tusla’s Accommodation Review has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services, unmet need and the proximity to refuge by local communities. The Review has made a number of recommendations on the location of refuge facilities, funding and future configuration of services that will support the needs of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
A draft of the Review has been shared with all stakeholders on the Monitoring Committee of the 2nd national DSGBV strategy.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has agreed that the Department of Justice will be the lead Department with responsibility for responding to DSGBV. On 18 January, I met with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice to discuss this integrated and dedicated response to DSGBV and to ensure prompt advancement of actions to address this issue. Earlier this week we met with Opposition leaders to further discuss this important matter.
I am committed to ensuring that the findings of the Review will inform the approach to refuge provision and will also inform the strategic actions under the forthcoming Third National Strategy on DSGBV.
