James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this important matter regarding the need for domestic violence accommodation in Laois and the midlands. I reiterate that it is my goal and that of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. I am familiar with the Wexford women's refuge and the Wexford rape crisis centre, and the great work done by both those bodies, so I understand the real importance of this. The Minister, Deputy McEntee is deeply committed to working with partners in the sector and with Government colleagues to achieve this. This Government has prioritised tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms, and ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our communities.

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister, Deputy McEntee is leading work on a new whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This new plan will have a particular focus on prevention and on ensuring victims are better supported. It is the Minister's intention to publish the final strategy and accompanying action plan as soon as possible in the coming weeks. The Ministers, Deputies O'Gorman and McEntee, commissioned an independent audit of how responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is segmented across the Government. On foot of this, it has been agreed that the Department of Justice will assume responsibility for services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, in addition to policy responsibility and overall cross-Government co-ordination of implementation. I hope that answers Deputy Stanley's concern about no one taking a lead on this. The Department of Justice has been assigned for the lead for services as well as policy responsibility. A detailed plan about how this will work is being prepared.

On the specific issue of refuge spaces, in February, the Ministers, Deputies O'Gorman and McEntee, published the review by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, of accommodation for victims of domestic violence. The review highlights gaps in geographical coverage and inadequate provision of safe accommodation, including refuges, to meet population needs. Many Deputies have raised those gaps.

Having it clearly in writing is important so we can put an implementation plan in place.

The review recommended an approach to address this issue with immediate, medium and long-term actions required and provided a list of priority areas where additional services would address the most immediate need. While the review states a minimum of between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed as a priority, further analysis has identified ten locations nationwide where the delivery of 82 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised. These locations and this refuge need have been chosen on the basis of required proximity to a refuge, as well as a need for refuge spaces per head of population in densely populated areas. These are the areas with the most significant under-provision and are a starting point for increasing refuge spaces comprehensively and in every county across the country. The initial areas identified in the Tusla review include Portlaoise, where eight family places are suggested as a starting point for prioritisation.

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