Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
589. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the status of the provision of a domestic violence refuge for Dún Laoghaire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27738/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you may be aware, in February, Ministers O’Gorman and I welcomed the publication of the Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The review identifies priority areas where there is greatest urgency in achieving safe accommodation for victims of domestic violence and we will use the findings of this review as one of the ways to address gaps in the provision of refuge places.
As part of the work to finalise the third national strategy to combat domestic and sexual violence, we looking at how to advance the recommendations made in the Tusla review to improve how we deliver refuge spaces, both in the immediate and longer term.
We all acknowledge the need to dramatically increase the provision of refuges.
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 population in densely populated areas. They represent areas where there is the most significant under-provision and are a starting point to increasing refuge spaces comprehensively and in every county across the country.
The initial areas identified include 10 family places identified for Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown
It is our goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and we are committed to working with those working in the sector to achieve that goal.
At present, the time taken from initiation to the delivery of units can take a number of years.
In order to see if it is possible to shorten that timeframe, I 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 in the shortest timeframe possible. That group is due to report to me in June.
We will be working to make these units available as soon as possible – this is a priority for this Government.
