Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024

Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Ceisteanna (817)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

817. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the progress of the establishment of Cuan, the new statutory domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV) agency; to provide, in detail, the efforts that are being made under the zero tolerance strategy to develop new refuge units in County Laois and to include if providers and sites have been identified; to list the towns where these sites are located and the number of family places being allocated to each. [11823/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy may be aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, which is up and running since 1 January.

The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As part of its remit, the agency has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces.

As such, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.