Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair for allowing us to contribute again. I wish to ask Ms McDermott a question. Recently, I engaged with a local domestic violence service provider. One of the issues that was strongly raised was that there appeared to be an imbalance being created between funding and the governance and compliance requirements on the service. What is being asked of services is increasing but funding is not increasing to match it. The impact of inflation on the delivery of these services is becoming more profound. Will Ms McDermott and the gentlemen comment on their experience in this regard?

Ms McDermott spoke about "the full accommodation and support needs of women in their journey to freedom." What is her opinion on the current structure for funding the provision of refuge spaces? The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility over this area, but the provision of refuge capacity lies with Tusla. Is that relationship something that Ms McDermott would like to see changed? Is there a more streamlined and efficient way of providing funding so that it results in better delivery?

Other commentators have mentioned regionalisation, joint policing committees, JPCs, and the capacity to speak. At what other forums do this issue and all issues that relate to gender-based violence need to be discussed? An issue that I have been examining is that of JPCs. It is not that long since domestic violence figures started being extrapolated out within the crime statistics. Are we at a point where membership of our local JPCs needs to be designated and retained for those who work in the area of DSGBV?