I propose to take Questions Nos. 1183 and 1184 together.
As you are aware Cavan/Monaghan has been identified as a priority area in Tusla's Accommodation Review. Recent meetings on this very matter involving local representatives, Tusla, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Housing Authorities and DSGBV voluntary groups have taken place. A second meeting has also been scheduled.
Every effort will be made to ensure progress in the delivery of this vital service. The need to increase the provision of refuges is widely acknowledged by Government. The timelines for delivery of these places, as well as further targets for nationwide delivery of refuge accommodation, will be outlined in the Dept. of Justice's upcoming Third National Strategy and further detail will be contained in the accompanying action plan.
With input from the Taoiseach, Minister McEntee and I have worked intensively with Departmental officials on the Audit of the segmentation of Government’s response to DSGBV and how the results of that Audit fits with the, soon to be published, Third National Strategy on DSGBV. As a result of those discussions and in response to the Audit, it has been agreed that the Department of Justice will be the lead Department with responsibility for responding to DSGBV, and that responsibility for policy, accommodation and services will also sit within the Department of Justice.
In the meantime, my Department and Tusla are actively collaborating with the Department of Justice. Tusla will continue to have responsibility for accommodation and services while the new administrative arrangements are being put in place.