Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
178. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the services that are available for survivors of domestic abuse in County Clare by location. [32373/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DGSBV). The response to DSGBV is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue with policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla supports some 60 front line DSGBV services around the country, and the Department has increased its funding to Tusla for this sector by some €4.7 million this year. Overall funding now stands at a total of €30 million for 2021.
Clare Haven Services is based in Ennis, and provides emergency refuge accommodation and support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. The service also provides a 24-hour confidential domestic violence help line, court accompaniment services, and outreach supports in several towns throughout County Clare. Depending on the convenience or geographical location of service users, or the availability of refuge spaces, individuals in County Clare may choose to use services in Counties Limerick, Tipperary, Kerry, or elsewhere.
Rape Crisis Midwest is based in Limerick City, and provides an outreach service in the Ennis area for adult survivors of sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse. The organisation also provides telephone support and one-to-one counselling. Individuals may engage with the service via its Limerick base, or the outreach service in Clare. Other supports for survivors of sexual violence are also available in neighbouring counties, if convenient.
In addition to services located in County Clare, Tusla supports national services that assist survivors of DSGBV throughout the country. Women's Aid and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre provide two 24-hour national helplines for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Funding for the two national helplines has increased in the context of increased reports of DSGBV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tusla also provides funding to the Men's Development Network and Men's Aid to operate two helplines for male victims of abuse. All of these services are available and open to survivors of DSGBV in County Clare.
With regard to emergency accommodation for victims of DSGBV in Clare, Tusla is undertaking a review of these services nationwide. This will assess the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. The review's findings and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee of the Second National Strategy on DSGBV will inform Tusla's future decisions on priority areas for investment and development of services. Tusla has advised me that this report will be finalised in the coming weeks.
It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence in County Clare, and across Ireland, are met in the most appropriate way possible. I strongly support the work of Tusla and its funded service providers and I am committed to supporting the Agency in meeting the needs of individuals who experience domestic violence.
