Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
895. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in providing a refuge centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37107/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, last June, Government launched Zero Tolerance, our third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
One of the overarching goals is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. Over the lifetime of the Strategy we intend to double the number of refuge spaces, bringing it to 280.
Tusla reviewed the accommodation services for victims of DSGBV and identified priority locations where between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed. Further analysis identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of 98 family refuge spaces would have the most impact, if prioritised.
The Tusla review identified a requirement for eight family places in Cavan/Monaghan, for prioritisation.
A group of stakeholders has met a number of times in 2023, with a view to beginning plans to establish the refuge in Cavan/Monaghan.
Key statutory bodies, including Tusla, the Department of Housing, the Department of Justice, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, and An Garda Síochána have been engaged in these meetings, along with the local domestic violence organisation, Tearmann, and Safe Ireland.
The current focus is on identifying a site and initiating a more formalised project.
The nature of refuge developments, as capital projects, means that timelines for capital projects apply, and at this early stage, many factors can influence the speed at which a project is delivered such as, the identification of a suitable site or building, planning processes, tendering processes, and the appointment of contractors.
However, as an identified priority area, every effort will be made to ensure that supports are put in place to achieve delivery of the refuge and support services in Cavan/Monaghan as quickly as possible.
As the Deputy will also be aware, it is the intention of this Government to establish a new Domestic Violence Agency at the start of 2024 and that Agency will play a lead role in ensuring that our plans for refuges are delivered over the coming years.
The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for DSGBV services continues to be channelled through Tusla and I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply in relation as regards any further information that may be of relevance to the question posed.
