Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to add my voice to those of the previous speakers regarding some of the measures needed to address domestic violence.

It is fair to say Covid-19 has had a major negative impact across society but perhaps one of the groups most adversely affected comprises victims who suffer domestic abuse. These victims can be men and women, and we may forget, on occasion, that there are men out there who have suffered as well. The Garda indicates a 30% increase in domestic abuse in certain parts of the country, and we know Women's Aid has confirmed that there has been a major increase in the number of calls it has received.

This evening I raise the case of Esker House in Athlone, and I am sure the Minister is familiar with it, as it not only serves my constituency but his as well. It is the only women's refuge service in the midlands. The facility met the challenges of Covid-19 by renting apartments off site, which is a positive development. That does not, however, provide the security that women want when they turn up to these shelters. The facility has a bigger issue in that Esker House currently gets €303,000 in core funding per annum. Comparing that with similar services around the country, including those with the same bed capacity and services like court advocacy and outreach, the facility is significantly under-resourced and underfunded. Esker House has put in an application for supplementary funding to deal with the need to acquire additional accommodation and a centre manager, which the facility currently lacks. I do not expect the Minister to know it today but will he personally look into this and revert on how the application is going? The centre is doing great work and it needs support, and I put this on the record of the Dáil this evening.

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