Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate and welcome the increase in funding announced in the budget for child-focused supports. To put my question and the Minister's answer in context, I refer to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy McEntee, whom I contacted on the issue of domestic violence recently. She informed me that An Garda Síochána had told her of a 24% increase in the number of domestic abuse related cases so far this year. She also pointed out there had been a 10% increase in breaches of domestic violence orders and an 18% increase in notifications to Tusla in the same period. The Minister also informed me that Tusla had put in place a range of practical supports and was identifying additional accommodation capacity. Has the Department progressed matters in this area? Have additional accommodation units for children been acquired or funded at this stage? Has the Department studied where domestic violence emerges during a period of restrictions and how to deal with this additional complication?

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