Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I thank Deputy Wall. The meeting can be arranged. During the negotiations on the budget, the Minister for Justice and Equality made it quite clear that Teach Tearmainn was one of the issues dealt with in regard to domestic violence. He made it quite clear he intended to invest whatever additional money he could gather into service provision. Service provision at the front line is the key. This can be arranged.

We cannot provide services and then have them funded insufficiently. While there may be some negotiations on funding, negotiations need to take place nevertheless.

On the last occasion on which I answered a question on domestic violence, not necessarily on Teach Tearmainn, I stated this matter lies firmly under the equality remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. Why are we not tackling the abuser? Why are affected women and children being driven from their homes? They have to go to Kerry and other places rather than remain in their own homes, yet we do nothing about the elephant in the room. We continue to pour money into services and the sums invested are significant.

It is never a once-off occasion when one is beaten in one's own home. The problem does not just affect women. Domestic violence is domestic violence and a small, but significant, proportion of men are abused domestically. We must really get serious about it and treat those who commit this heinous crime exactly as one would treat somebody who beat one up going down the street.

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