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

I welcome the audit that is being undertaken because we must assess the services being provided by An Garda Síochána, Tusla, local authorities and the Department of Social Protection, among others. We must have an holistic approach to this. Services must be more accessible and more information must be provided in order that people better understand the issue. We know that people are doing their jobs to the best of their ability; that is not in question. The issue is getting the audit right, which will have a massive impact on people's lives.

I must also congratulate my own local radio station, KCLR, which has been focusing on domestic violence and abuse in recent weeks, in the run-up to Christmas. Everyone is playing his or her part but it is important, in the context of the audit, that the Department considers a women's refuge for Carlow. I know of people who were referred to refuges in Kilkenny and Waterford but they were full. We are referring women to refuges that are full.

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