Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
589. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice if there are currently any plans to fund a new domestic violence refuge in the area of County Laois to help deal with the significant pressures on the current services provided in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59384/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance policy to address Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and those working in the sector to achieve this.
In line with the priority which this government is attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280.
The Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence identified priority locations where between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed.
Further analysis undertaken identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of 98 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.
Portlaoise is one of the priority areas identified.
An interdepartmental group is developing and progressing agreed processes and approaches to ensure we have the highest standard of refuge accommodation, delivered in the most efficient way.
This has already resulted in a streamlined process for capital funding applications for new refuges.
Supports for applicant groups from the Housing Agency in relation to public procurement processes and direct engagement between Department of Housing Architectural Advisors and the Design Teams recruited by the applicant groups are also in place.
I'm informed by Tusla that a group involving local stakeholders, including the Laois Domestic Abuse Service, has been established to take forward plans to develop the proposed refuge and associated support services.
Planning is not yet sufficiently advanced to identify the specific amount of either capital or revenue funding required. Nor is planning sufficiently advanced to identify the specific timelines for completion of the refuge, but Tusla and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will be working with local stakeholders to support and expedite the process.
As I'm sure the Deputy can appreciate, due to the variations in sites, resources available and specific local features, the costs for each of the planned refuge developments will be considered on a case by case basis, with decisions on funding to be supported into the future, by work being progressed nationally to develop principles for refuge design.
Tusla will continue to engage with stakeholders to support the refuge development process in Co. Laois.
In 2022, the Laois Domestic Abuse Service was allocated €281,440, with €79,000 additional funding to strengthen its capacity for the provision of supports to women and further development of services to children impacted by domestic abuse.
Minister McEntee secured additional funding of €9m in budget 2023 to address the response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, of which €6.8m will be allocated through Tusla to maintain and develop front-line services for victims. Dedicated funding is available in 2023, for measures such as project management support and capacity building, so that refuge developments are supported from the earliest stages.
Laois Domestic Abuse Service and groups taking forward refuge developments in the twelve priority locations will be able to access these resources.
