Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
336. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans in place to increase the number of emergency refuge accommodation units for victims of domestic violence and their children. [5725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important aspect of our response to Domestic Sexual Gender Based Violence (DSGBV).
The response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue. The Taoiseach has confirmed that the Minister for Justice will have the leading role.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments in respect of DSGBV, including a plan for additional refuge spaces. Tusla’s Accommodation Review examines current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services, unmet need and proximity to refuge by local communities. The Review has made a number of recommendations on the location of refuge facilities, funding and future configuration of services that will support the needs of victims of DSGBV.
Government will be guided by the recommendations of the Review. I expect that the implementation process for the Review will identify priority areas where there is greatest urgency in achieving safe accommodation for victims of DSGBV. A draft of the Review has been shared with all stakeholders on the Monitoring Committee of the 2nd National DSGBV Strategy and it will be published shortly.
In 2021, Tusla allocated €28m in core funding for DSGBV services and an additional €2m in contingency funding to address challenges arising from COVID-19. Core funding of services will increase to €30m for 2022 and additional resources have been allocated to address the recommendations arising from Tusla’s Accommodation Review.
The impact of Covid and recent tragic events have shown the horrific effect of DSGBV on women, communities and society. In recent weeks I have been involved in discussions with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice as part of considerations by the Government to address the impact of DSGBV. The Minister for Justice will soon publish the 3rd National Strategy on DSGBV which I believe will present a comprehensive and targeted response to the critical issues involved, with a particular focus on prevention.
