Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This debate is timely, given that it follows the publication of the Safe Ireland report, entitled Tracking the Shadow Pandemic: A report on women and children seeking support from Domestic Violence Services during the first 6 months of Covid-19, which makes for harrowing reading. Since the statistics have been well aired, I will not repeat them.

I thank the former Minister, Senator Doherty, the Government and the Department of Social Protection for putting in place the emergency rent supplement pilot programme for victims of domestic violence. From speaking with many of those who work in the field, this speedy, non-means-tested avenue to help victims transition from abusive situations is working well locally. One practitioner to whom I spoke stated that the responses from the Department had been open-hearted and generous. The pilot is working in my constituency. It is crucial that this programme be mainstreamed.

There is good co-operation between the Departments of Social Protection and Justice, but notwithstanding the fact that combating domestic violence is a national priority, no money for it appears to have been ring-fenced in Tusla's budget and its domestic violence unit seems to have been abandoned. This is what I have heard nationally and locally. For example, we have heard of €800,000 being provided, but fundraising that depended on the generosity of the public, corporations and artists raised €500,000 during the same period. This issue needs to be addressed.

The Minister is aware of another issue, but I want to raise it again. The Sligo-Leitrim constituency does not have a dedicated domestic violence refuge, and there seems to be little to no progress in putting one in place. There is good co-operation between local authorities, housing and homeless agencies and landlords, but we need a dedicated refuge. Does the Minister have positive news for us in that regard?

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