James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, legislation is needed. In the meantime, we have the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, working with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and with Tusla ensures that the strategy continues to be rolled out while we await the State agency to be established and then the agency will take over the co-ordination.

I have mentioned the Wexford Women's Refuge and turning a sod at the site. That project happened because of the dedication of a number of volunteers in County Wexford. We cannot simply leave it to volunteers to be able to have the wherewithal to come together to establish refuges. Other counties need refuges and we need to support those counties to establish refuges so that there is one in every county and more, if necessary. The strategy sets out how to deliver refuges and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is very much and very strongly showing leadership in that area until we get the agency established.