Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister on her work on domestic and gender-based violence. She has been relentless on the issue and in providing women's refuges around the country, as well as the funding to back them up. There have been difficulties and challenges in the past with various Departments, specifically the Departments of Social Protection, Justice and Housing, Local Government and Heritage, having different responsibilities for women in the area of domestic violence. The Minister has done incredible work to try to bring all of that together.

I would like an update from the Minister. I have convened a number of meetings to campaign for a much-needed women's refuge for Cavan-Monaghan because we do not have one. I have convened a number of meetings with Safe Ireland, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and our chief superintendent, and the housing departments of Cavan and Monaghan county councils. There is incredible goodwill to deliver refuges and I know the Minister has allocated money to provide spaces to do so. Can she give us an insight into where that work is at the moment?