James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Crowe for raising this issue and I welcome the opportunity to clarify the position on the funding of domestic violence services by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I am aware of this issue as Deputy Pat Rabbitte has raised it with me on a number of occasions.

It is my understanding that the Cuan Álainn centre was established independently of the State and opened in 2012. It is funded by Respond! Housing Association. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency allocates available funding for domestic violence to emergency refuge accommodation services and community-based domestic violence supports. It does not fund Cuan Álainn.

I understand that the Cuan Álainn centre provides second stage accommodation for women and children who have experienced domestic violence and who may already have been in emergency accommodation. The facility does not operate as a front-line emergency domestic violence service, rather it provides step down or transitional accommodation to support transition into a permanent settled home. This can include survivors of domestic violence who are transitioning from emergency services to a new, permanent home.

Departmental officials and Tusla recently met Respond!, at the housing association's request, to discuss the current situation in Cuan Álainn. Respond! advised that it was not in a position to continue funding for the centre. The Department sought additional information from Respond!, including information on the housing association's overall financial situation. The most recent information provided indicated that Respond!, which is made up of two companies, was in good overall financial health.

I hope the matter can be satisfactorily resolved, by allowing sufficient time for all avenues to be explored by the relevant parties. This will need to include discussion with other parties, including the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government as it would appear that these families have pressing housing needs. In this regard, I hope that a meeting with Respond! can be arranged shortly. Tusla will continue to work closely with service providers to ensure that women and children fleeing domestic abuse receive all necessary emergency support. The position in respect of the Cuan Álainn service is being kept under review.

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