Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's comments on her commitment to continuing supports. The facts are absolutely shocking. Women's Aid tells us that 24,800 women contacted the organisation last year about emotional, physical or sexual abuse. It is absolutely appalling. I know from its annual report that three women died violently last year as a result of domestic violence, 709 women were faced with the threat of murder, 148 pregnant women were abused and there were 28 miscarriages. This is an appalling situation, and we cannot do enough to help these women. Women's Aid requests in its annual report - and I appreciate that this request has been made of the Department of Justice and other Departments - that there be more places of safety, appropriately funded and supported, for women and children to get safety when vile, evil people are trying to kill them or abuse them in the most appalling, unacceptable, criminal way.

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