Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reassure Deputy Ó Cuív and Deputy Murnane O'Connor that there will be engagement from the interdepartmental group soon. It is working to identify how we can improve the overall process. There will then be engagement with county councils and those already working on the ground. It is really important that Tusla remain deeply involved in this process. While the delivery of service is moving from Tusla to this new agency, Tusla will still have a very significant role and part to play. That is why it is represented on the inter-agency group. As Deputy Ó Cuív has mentioned, many women who are fleeing - and it is mainly women - come with children and support must be provided for those children. The issue of the wraparound supports and services must also be addressed. There is a body of work to be done. It is not just about looking at the physical built accommodation, the roof over people's heads. We must also consider how these people can actually get on with their lives, move on and access other accommodation, and what supports their children might need because this is obviously a very traumatic experience for children. In the third national strategy, there is a greater focus on children than there has ever been before. This is an acknowledgment that this issue has huge implications for children. I thank the Deputy for his questions.

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