Written answers

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Domestic Violence Services

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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347. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the proportion of allocations from approved housing bodies, AHBs, here that are provided for housing for domestic violence survivors, that is, the specific allocation (details supplied); and the number of families by county in the past four years in tabular form. [18575/20]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of housing to households on social housing waiting lists by either Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) or local authorities is a matter for individual local authorities in line with their allocation scheme. My Department does not hold information on the allocations of the specific type requested by the Deputy.

Section 22 of the 2009 Act requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.

In line with commitments made under Rebuilding Ireland, my Department issued guidance in January 2017 to all local authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs.  The guidance is also a useful reference for service providers working in the domestic violence services sector, highlighting where they can be of greatest assistance to their clients, covering a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence in seeking social housing supports.  These include provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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348. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the support that has been given to approved housing bodies, AHBs, in relation to providing housing to domestic abuse survivors under the capital assistance scheme by county in the past four years in tabular form. [18576/20]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The table below provides details of ongoing and completed projects funded under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) for victims of domestic violence.  As well as CAS-funded schemes, the housing needs of victims of domestic violence can also be addressed by the provision of accommodation by local authorities from their own stock of housing. 

CAS funding remains available to support Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) providing accommodation for victims of domestic violence. CAS is permanently open for new proposals to be submitted to local authorities by AHBs in respect of any of the eligible categories of housing need, including victims of domestic violence and proposals for the latter are progressed in agreement with Tusla as regards prioritisation and operational arrangements.

Local Authority AHB/Service provider  Project status Date delivered
Galway City COPE Delivered Q4 2019
Louth Drogheda Women's and Children's Refuge Centre Delivered Q3 2018
South Dublin Saoirse Women's Refuge Delivered Q2 2019
Wexford Wexford Women's Refuge Early stage proposal

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