Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
294. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence. [63132/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June, the Government launched Zero Tolerance, the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
One of the overarching goals of the Strategy is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. 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.
In the initial phase of this work, we expect to have delivered 24 places in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by 2024. The delivery of additional safe homes is also a key part of the response and it is expected to increase the number of safe homes by 15 this year.
In addition, by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, including the development of a new statutory agency, we will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be opened each year. Already, work undertaken implementing the Strategy has prepared the way for this, including a very significant increase in funding under Budget 2023.
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.
Just last month, Minister McEntee was in Wexford to turn the sod on construction of the new Refuge there.
Developments in Navan and Dundalk are continuing to make progress at design and planning stages, while developments in the other priority locations are mainly focused on establishing local stakeholders and lead organisations and on site selection.
