In June of last year the Government launched Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
In line with the priority which we are 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 over 280. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces.
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. That can be viewed here: TUSLA_-_Domestic_Violence_Acc_Provision_Single_Page.pdf.
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 establishment of a new DSGBV 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 (IDG) is already developing and progressing agreed processes and approaches to ensure we have the highest standard of refuge accommodation, delivered in the most efficient way.
The delivery of additional safe homes is also a key part of the whole-of-Government response and it is expected that the number of safe homes will be increased by 15 this year.
As the Deputy will also be aware, a new statutory Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence agency, under the aegis of the Department of Justice, is being established. I published the General Scheme of the bill in March this year and the new Agency will be up and running by January 2024. The new Agency will ensure a permanent and dedicated focus on implementation and supports for Government and the sector in our work to combat DSGBV and support victims of these horrific crimes.
The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors. It will ensure a robust set of national service standards and governance arrangements are in place.
The Agency will also have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Third National Strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. A dedicated research function in the new agency will support evidence-based policy and decision-making to best meet the challenges of tackling, preventing and reducing the incidence of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
