Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Wallace. At all times my priority and that of Tusla is to ensure that the needs of women and children fleeing domestic violence are being met in the best way possible. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, allocates funding for a network of 60 organisations that provide services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. This includes 20 services that provide emergency refuge accommodation to women and children and 24 community-based domestic violence services.

In 2016, funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services is €20.6 million, including €12 million for emergency refuge and support services, €4.6 million for other community-based domestic violence support services and €4 million to support rape crisis centres. Tusla is engaging with service provider organisations and other stakeholders to identify and prioritise future needs, including the provision of additional emergency accommodation spaces. Since the beginning of 2016, eight additional units of emergency accommodation have become operational and are supported by Tusla.

Domestic violence support services are provided through integrated community-based responses, with emergency refuge accommodation as one component of service delivery. Tusla’s primary focus is on achieving the optimum use of emergency shelter accommodation and focusing on prevention and effective community-based services to avoid in so far as possible the need for use of refuges by vulnerable women and families.

We all recognise that there are challenges to be addressed in ensuring that there is appropriate and safe crisis accommodation available to all women and children who require immediate shelter because of violent family relationships. I am committed to continuing our support for these vital services.

See this speech in context