Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2013
13. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to treat domestic abuse as a serious cause of social housing need and homelessness; and if he will prioritise the addressing of this need in the interests of protecting vulnerable adults and children. [20494/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic abuse rests with the Minister for Health and is delivered through the Health Service Executive. In addition Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, which was established in June 2007 as an executive office of the Department of Justice and Equality, works to ensure the delivery of a coordinated response to issues of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across Government. Actions to ensure effectiveness and consistency in housing responses for victims of domestic violence are set out in Action 10 of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010-2014. My Department is developing the necessary guidance to implement this action.
In addition, my Department provides current funding, under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, towards the operational costs of refuges for the victims of domestic abuse.
Persons who are forced to leave their homes due to domestic violence may , however , be placed in accommodation arranged by local authorities without having to be entered on the waiting list. In the longer term, victims of domestic violence may qualify under section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 for entry on a waiting list for social housing support if, in addition to meeting the normal eligibility criteria, the housing authority considers that their current accommodation is unsuitable, having regard to particular household circumstances or on exceptional medical or compassionate grounds.
My Department is keeping the social housing assessment provisions under review and will consider what wider discretion might be given to housing authorities by way of Regulations to address the individually difficult and complex cases which may present to them.
