Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
571. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the way that the State is meeting its commitments under the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention including the provision of refuge spaces and support services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55185/23]
View answerOne of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV), is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and with those working in the sector to achieve this.
As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland formally ratified the Istanbul Convention on 8 March 2019 (International Women’s Day), having given full effect to all obligations required of it.
The Third National Strategy, which is our most ambitious, is structured around the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination and builds on what has been achieved under the Second National Strategy.
The accompanying implementation plan contains 144 detailed actions which are assigned to my department and other departments and agencies across Government. Subsequent implementation plans will be published annually during the lifetime of the Strategy.
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 up to 36 places in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by end-2024.
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.
Work to establish the DSGBV agency is well advanced and last month we welcomed the passing legislation which will put the agency, which will be called Cuan, on a statutory footing.
Cuan will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.
It will be tasked with supporting and overseeing the delivery of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, and ensuring the delivery of excellent services to victims of DSGBV (including helpline and other supports).
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.
