Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Many of the matters raised by the Deputy fall within the remit of the Department of Justice. The Department is leading the development across Government of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. That strategy will place a priority on the prevention and reduction of such violence and will include a national preventative strategy. The new strategy is being co-designed in partnership with the sector. The Department is working with NGOs on that. It will be the most ambitious strategy to date and will radically improve services and supports for victims. In terms of the supports available, the Department of Justice will continue to have lead policy responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. However, there is an onus on other Departments to step up to the plate.

As far as the Department of Social Protection is concerned, we have made rent supplement more easily accessible to victims. That is only right and proper. The issue around accommodation likely falls within the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This is about joined-up thinking. The Government is taking this matter very seriously.

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