Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire faoin Bhille um fhoréigean baile. I would like to ask the Minister about the consolidated domestic violence Bill. The report of the Femicide Watch project, Behind Closed Doors, revealed last week that 209 women and 16 children were killed by men, most of whom were either the current or former partners of the women or the fathers of the children, between 1996 and 2016. As we know, domestic violence is a life and death issue for those who suffer it every day of every week. As many as 4,000 women and children are being accommodated on a yearly basis in emergency refuge accommodation. Like other Members of the Dáil, I have raised this issue consistently. Frankly, we are fed up of listening to platitudes about supporting the victims of domestic violence. The consolidated domestic violence Bill has still not been published. The absence of any firm Government commitment to increase funding for domestic violence refuges, step-down accommodation and other support services is extremely worrying. The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government does not include the number of adults and children in Tusla domestic violence refuges in its monthly homeless reports. Will the Minister give the House a commitment that all relevant data will be collected and included in the departmental monthly homeless figures? When will the consolidated domestic violence Bill be published?

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