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

I thank the Minister for her response, which is much appreciated. Will the memorandum of understanding she mentioned apply to the provision of the urgently needed 60 new additional units, as identified in the report done by the Ministers for Justice and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth? Has a budget been secured for the units? I have no issue with what the Minister said about the timeframe.

She is correct that the provision of refuges or places in communities is driven by groups on the ground. That is something we have historically seen develop without a grand plan being put in place. A group formed, recognised a need and went through the process of ensuring there was safe accommodation in their community. The Minister was also correct that there needs to be more Government involvement in that because while a group may have the capability and skills to apply for these services and these places, that in no way, shape or form takes into account the need on the ground. The initiative needs to be driven by Government but based on recognised need and not based on a group that may or may not have the capability..

Finally, is the Minister happy that the plan has been fully costed? Is she happy that she has a good idea how much it will cost to implement the plan? Is she confident that the budgetary needs will be made available?