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

I am more than pleased to have the opportunity to support fully and speak on this Sinn Féin motion on gender-based violence. Like Deputy Connolly, I want to continue on from my earlier intervention today. In one of my first speeches in the House when Covid hit, I lobbied the then Minister for Social Protection, former Deputy Regina Doherty, and the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, to put in place emergency rent supplement for victims of domestic violence, women who were in abusive situations and prisoners in their own homes. The issue was raised with me by Safe Ireland which, along with the National Women's Council and others, had already started working with the Department.

As a brief aside, I want to mention the incredible, tireless work that is done by so many different organisations to support victims of domestic abuse. Their advocacy, diligence and unswerving determination to be there for women and children in violent, abusive and coercive situations is second to none. Their humanity and empathy for those suffering domestic violence is something special to see and know but they are stretched way beyond what is reasonable. An essential part of any ongoing strategy to stamp out domestic violence must include proper resourcing of and support for those organisations that stood in the gap with abused women and children when Covid raged.

To go back to the issue of the emergency rent supplement, that was put in place because people worked together and because we had an emergency situation, namely, Covid. The situation has escalated and we need to put in place the measures called for in this motion with the same speed, determination and co-operation as was evident in putting place the emergency rent supplement. When we do that, we can hold our heads up.

There are many other issues I would like to raise but I must return to a matter I have raised on at least four occasions in this House, which is the fact there is no dedicated refuge for victims of domestic violence in Sligo-Leitrim. The Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, DVAS, in Sligo-Leitrim and west Cavan continues to advocate, if not beg, for a dedicated emergency domestic violence refuge for victims of abuse. In 2020, DVAS worked with 226 victims of domestic abuse in Sligo-Leitrim and west Cavan. All it has is three apartments that serve as temporary accommodation but which are totally unsuitable for those at real risk of trauma, injury or fatality and those who need 24-hour supported emergency services.

I have to finish now although there is so much more I would like to say. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, committed to moving the issue of a refuge for Sligo-Leitrim forward and I ask the Minister for Justice to give a commitment on that this evening.

See this speech in context