Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that response. I appreciate it, and I know she understands the urgency associated with this issue. However, I have heard the word "shortly" already in respect of the promise from Tusla on emergency accommodation. I think at least nine counties have no refuges at all for victims of domestic violence. We have all the numbers from which we could quote, but it is doing a disservice for us, myself included, to quote these figures in a bland sort of way, given the amount of violence and suffering that is going on and is increasing.

The segmentation of services through all the Departments was the reason for this audit being undertaken. That is why it is important. It is to ensure that there is one point of contact and leadership in this area. We saw something similar concerning the national maternity strategy yesterday, in respect of there being no leadership on driving and implementing it. We know the figures for domestic abuse. We know they are rising and it is unacceptable. We want action now. The Minister for Justice told us that there would be such action and we respected that statement. This audit is only a tiny part of that action.

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