In line with commitments in Rebuilding Ireland, my Department issued guidance in January 2017 to all local authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs.
This guidance has been developed to support local authorities respond to victims of domestic violence, in the context of their housing requirements. The guidance is also a useful reference for service providers working in the domestic violence services sector, highlighting where they can be of greatest assistance to their clients. The guidance also covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence in seeking social housing supports, including provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support.
I understand that this guidance has been positively received and broadly welcomed by housing authorities and the domestic violence services sector. My Department is not aware of any reports to suggest that the guidance is not being implemented across the local authority sector and, accordingly, at this time, I have no plans to meet the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, specifically in relation to this matter.
