Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Is the Minister aware that there is only one domestic violence refuge for all of Cork city and county? It has space for just six families and now, due to social distancing requirements, that is down to two families. At a time when calls to gardaí about domestic violence have increased by 25%, the shamefully inadequate refuge space has been reduced by 66%. Will the Minister please address this shortcoming with immediate effect? Over the last week, we have seen horrific details emerge about the epidemic of gender-based violence in Ireland, from the violence and institutional failures suffered by the O'Reilly family in Tipperary and the tragic murder of Jean Eagers to the recent #MeToo disclosures on social media and the results of the NUI Galway Union of Students in Ireland study, which exposed the terrifying rates of rape and sexual assault among college students. Regrettably, as predicted, there has been an increase in domestic violence since lockdown was initiated.

We need to have a coherent, fully resourced response to ensure that all of the women, children and men affected feel they can come forward and will be believed and supported. To achieve this, organisations which support victims and survivors of domestic violence are seeking a single Department with one point of contact and one funding model. At present, they are forced to deal with numerous Departments and agencies with different operating systems and disparate funding models. This creates an unnecessary barrier for organisations providing an essential service. This failure in joined-up thinking was demonstrated recently by the struggle to get an emergency rent supplement for victims in need of emergency accommodation. It is still being demonstrated now when victims meet bureaucratic obstacles when they seek safe accommodation. This kind of disconnect further traumatises victims and can be a disincentive when leaving a dangerous environment. Local authorities need training, multidisciplinary staff and adequate resources to support victims and survivors. We need a single section within a key Department that will harness the required expertise and investment to tackle this issue.

I understand there have been efforts in recent years to work towards better support. We need to go further. The support organisations, the experts I always refer to, are highlighting these problems right now, and they tell us what the solutions are. We must listen to them. Victims and survivors need more support and my colleagues and I will do anything we can to achieve this.

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