Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has attended a number of Women's Aid events so I know she has an interest in the area. What prompted me to ask the question is in my constituency we have a women's refuge that covers counties Carlow and Kilkenny, but because it is being used as emergency accommodation, last year it had to refuse 321 referrals. The housing crisis means women fleeing domestic violence are not able to access accommodation. They might be able to access secondary services but accommodation is what is crucial. Unfortunately, many of the women will end up going back into the situation, which will have a detrimental effect on them and their children. Will the Minister ask Tusla to do an audit to ensure where there are domestic violence refuges that they are being used for that, and that alone, and that they are allowed to get on with that very important work and are not are not being used as an overflow for the housing crisis? It is a crisis, but it is a different situation and should not impact on domestic violence services for women and children.

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