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

I have reviewed the Barnardos report and its recommendations, many of which we anticipate having in train. For example, one of the recommendations is the ratification of the Istanbul convention. In the 2017 budget, some of the moneys I am providing to Tusla for the unit on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is to provide it with the resources to prepare us for the ratification of the convention. In my direction to Tusla regarding prioritising this matter, we can move forward together in a more progressive manner in terms of our ways of responding to and working out these issues. I will refer the Deputy's identification of a potential fund to my officials and see if there is a possibility of accessing it.

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