Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for clarifying that. We can speak about what happens in Dublin and in respect of the court here, but this is a problem right around the country. In particular, the fact that Teach Tearmainn, with which the Minister would be familiar, is not open to full capacity to deal with women who suffer from violence and have to leave their homes is a huge shame. Women are being stripped of their dignity and their children are too, because children are often unsuspecting independent witnesses to what goes on between their parents. There is a problem in terms of women who have to leave their homes because of domestic violence. They are not considered homeless by the local housing authorities, so the refuges need to be working at full capacity and we need more of them.

One other question I would like to ask the Minister relates to the full resources that are needed for the national 24-7 domestic violence helpline. What assistance can the Minister give here?

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