Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too want to give my condolences to the families that have lost loved ones to this coronavirus. When we tell people to stay at home, we must now realise and accept that not every home is safe. We might all be in the same storm but one thing is certain - we are not all in the same boat. Women's Aid has reported an increase in the number of domestic abuse calls made to the charity since the Covid-19 outbreak. Childline has also reported an increase in communications from children and young people, and charities. Gardaí have reported a 20% increase in calls related to domestic abuse. It is important that we listen to those on the front line on these issues now more than ever.

The conditions recommended for public health have put lives at risk from domestic violence, and I do not say that lightly. Admittedly, we cannot know of the damage that has been done as those living in unsafe homes lost access in terms of not going to schools or attending sports activities, whether that is through community involvement, family or work.

During the Covid-19 pandemic we have placed the necessary focus on domestic violence and the many difficulties that victims and survivors experience. One measure that was most welcome was the news that anyone fleeing an unsafe situation was not forced to abide by the distance restrictions, but we need more. We need to commit to grant allocations necessary to cover not just the cost of the Covid-19 emergency but also to take account of the loss of fundraising income and the expected surge in demand due to an increase in cases and the backlog in face-to-face and court support work once the Covid-19 emergency abates. There is always a surge in calls following holiday periods or in situations where access is not easy.

Deficiencies in investment in this area over decades have left victims completely exposed during this crisis. While we are still in restrictions, we need to support developments for the Courts Service to facilitate applications remotely for ex partedomestic violence orders.

I would appreciate a reply on whether this is something we can look at in the short term, with a view to long-term implications. Just because we have been dealing with the coronavirus does not mean other societal issues have gone away. Right here, right now, we need to acknowledge domestic violence as a major driver of homelessness and address the local housing authority requirements that prevent survivors of domestic violence accessing social housing and the inconsistency of response among different local authorities. This is all about communication. While I welcome the recent focus on domestic violence during this pandemic, we have not focused on measures to properly support those left without homes while fleeing violent situations and support any victim or survivor, male or female, in rebuilding a post-violence life. In my home area in County Carlow we have to fundraise to support our Women's Aid service. Thankfully, we sourced two-family emergency accommodation provision just before the coronavirus shut so much down. While we might spend money on advertising campaigns, we do not offer a cohesive strategy to support those leaving a violent home after we encourage them to get out. As restrictions gradually lift, we must ensure that support services remain open and that they are resourced properly and listened to when they ask for those resources. It is more important than ever that domestic violence support services and places of refuge are easily accessible and available. We, as public representatives, trying to assist constituents in these matters must be able to access help in supporting victims and survivors, from whatever Department we need. I do not mean just the Department of Justice and Equality or the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, but the Departments of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Health and Employment Affairs and Social Protection. That is where we fall down. There is no communication between the different Departments and unless we all communicate and work together, this cannot be solved.

My second point relates to family law. While court orders regarding access remain in place, non-court ordered arrangements have been difficult too, because separated families trying to allow children access to both parents have received conflicting advice and have not been afforded the same guidance as those fleeing unsafe situations. The Garda is doing a terrific job under these public health restrictions, but what is the rule in this regard? We need proper guidance. Our children have sacrificed so much. Where there is a will on the part of one parent to facilitate access to another parent, perhaps in another county hundreds of miles away, we should be clear that we support them. We need to tell the children of Ireland that they matter, whether they live in a two-parent, one-parent, or separated-parent family. We must do this for them, and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure they are living their best lockdown lives.

See this speech in context