David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Funchion for raising this issue. I welcome the opportunity to clarify the position on domestic violence services in Carlow and Kilkenny on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, who sends her apologies for not being able to be here this afternoon.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic violence. In 2017, Tusla is allocating €22.1 million for the provision of services tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This represents an increase of €1.5 million over 2016. Tusla provides funding to 60 organisations in this area nationally, 20 of which provide emergency accommodation to adults and children affected by domestic violence. In discharging its statutory responsibility, Tusla supports emergency refuges in providing services for adults and children fleeing domestic violence. Tusla also provides a range of community-based supports to victims of domestic violence.

It is important to distinguish between emergency refuge services funded by Tusla and longer-term provision for housing needs, which is dealt with by local housing authorities. The challenges involved in providing longer-term housing for those who find themselves homeless can impact on the length of time that families stay in emergency refuge accommodation. This can have a knock-on effect on spaces for those with acute safety needs seeking access to a refuge, as the Deputy has quite rightly pointed out. At times where domestic violence refuges cannot accommodate families, service providers help with referrals to other refuges or safe accommodation. Services also provide emotional supports and advocacy for women. Where there is an immediate or serious risk of violence, refuges work with the women concerned, and An Garda Síochána, as needed, to find safe short-term solutions.

My Government colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has responsibility for Rebuilding Ireland, which was launched last year. It contains a commitment to provide additional emergency refuge accommodation spaces for victims of domestic violence. This is in addition to those emergency refuge spaces already supported by Tusla. In 2016, Tusla provided funding for 155 family units, comprising 147 emergency refuge family units and eight emergency non-refuge family units.

I acknowledge the vital role that Amber Kilkenny Women’s Refuge plays in its community, providing safe, short-term emergency refuge accommodation for families, child care for affected children on site, a 24-hour helpline, counselling and other supports. I understand that the refuge can cater for seven women and up to 23 children at any time. The centre also supports women through the provision of information on all aspects of domestic violence and links to other relevant agencies.

These include social and community welfare, housing authorities and legal aid.

I am concerned that the level of demand for services in the region is greater than the current available capacity, and I thank Deputy Funchion for raising this matter. Tusla is allocating funding of €493,000 to the refuge this year. Tusla is committed to ensuring that there is more equitable access to services. It is developing more evidence-based, targeted interventions for those affected by domestic violence. Tusla will work in partnership with local organisations, such as Amber Women’s Refuge, Kilkenny, in order to obtain the best possible supports for families experiencing domestic violence in Ireland.

As part of its approach to the commissioning, Tusla is currently assessing the level of need throughout the country, and is working closely with key stakeholders to develop appropriate service responses. This work will inform future decisions by Tusla with regard to priority areas for investment, including the development of services in the south east.

In conclusion, I want to thank Deputy Funchion for raising this very important matter. It is of key importance that the needs of those who suffer domestic violence are met in the best way possible. I can assure the Deputy that my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Zappone, will continue to work on this vital issue with Tusla and with service providers around the country and in Carlow and Kilkenny as well.

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