Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
552. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice if the new national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will include a timeline for the delivery of domestic violence refuges in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26293/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that it is my goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am deeply committed to working with our partners in the sector and with my Government colleagues to achieve that.
This Government has prioritised tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our communities.
As the Deputy is aware, I am currently leading work on a new whole of government strategy to combat domestic, sexual, gender-based violence. This new plan will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported.
It is my intention to publish the final strategy and accompanying action plan as soon as possible in the coming weeks.
In addition, in February, Minister O’Gorman and I published the review by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, of accommodation for victims of domestic violence
While the review says that a minimum of between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed as a priority, further analysis has identified 10 locations nationwide where the delivery of 82 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.
These locations and refuge need have been chosen on the basis of required proximity to a refuge, as well as a need for refuge spaces per head of population in densely populated areas.
These represent areas where there is the most significant under-provision and represent a starting point to increasing refuge spaces comprehensively and in every county across the country.
The initial areas identified in the Tusla review include Cavan/Monaghan, where eight family places are suggested as a starting point for prioritisation.
I fully acknowledge the need to dramatically increase the provision of refuges and that key to this will be ensuring organsiations can access funding.
To that end, my Department has established a high level Inter-Departmental Group to review the current system for the provision of refuge spaces and to identify changes that can be made to the system to deliver additional spaces as effectively as possible.
The timelines for delivery of this programme of work, as well as further targets for nationwide delivery of refuge accommodation, will be outlined in the third national strategy and further detail will be contained in the accompanying action plan.
