Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
409. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if she will give consideration to increasing the number of refuge places to 470 from the current target of 280, to ensure that Ireland meets its obligations under the Istanbul Convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46645/23]
View answerOne of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender based violence, is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and those working in the sector to achieve this.
In line with the priority which this Government is attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280 by the end of 2026.
The Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence identified priority locations where between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed. Further analysis undertaken identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of 98 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.
In the initial phase of this work, we expect to have delivered 36 places in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by end-2024.
In relation to that, construction has commenced on the new refuge in Wexford, with building completion scheduled for summer 2024 and the developments in Navan and Dundalk are making progress at design and planning stages. The developments in the other priority locations are currently mainly focused on establishing local stakeholders and lead organisations and on site selection.
In addition, by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, including the development of a new statutory agency, we will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be opened each year.
An interdepartmental group is developing and progressing agreed processes and approaches to ensure we have the highest standard of refuge accommodation, delivered in the most efficient way.
This has already resulted in a more streamlined process for capital funding applications for new refuges. Supports for applicant groups from the Housing Agency in relation to public procurement processes and direct engagement between Department of Housing Architectural Advisors and the Design Teams recruited by the applicant groups are now in place.
Over the past two years I have had the privilege to visit a number of refuges around the country to see first-hand the fantastic work that is being done.
I am determined that the implementation of the Strategy will bring us significantly closer to reaching our Istanbul target and to ensuring that organisations providing these vital services to victims are supported in doing so. We will continue to review progress on the development of refuge accommodation and I can assure the Deputy that we will set ambitious goals to bring us ever closer to fulfilment of our commitments under the Istanbul Convention.
