Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and I thank the Minister of State for being here to discuss this issue. I do not believe there is any dispute. It has been recognised and acknowledged, and the Government is taking action on the geographical lottery in the context of refuge spaces.

I am fortunate enough to represent one of the constituencies with the fastest growing population and our need is very great. I recently visited the Aoibhneas Day Service in Swords, which does absolutely fantastic work. It is working away but it is really under a serious amount of pressure. The nearest refuge to us is in Coolock and, again, that is under pressure. There is, therefore, a very real need.

The reason I raise this issue today is on foot of a response I received from Fingal County Council in which it referred to my representation, which is fair enough, and advised me that the homeless service team is not aware of any vacant properties that may be renovated for a refuge. The need has, therefore, been established. The Tusla review has prioritised Balbriggan as being the place for nine permanent beds plus a multipurpose room. My issue, and the reason I want to put it on the Minister of State's radar, is that accommodation is going to be required given that Fingal County Council has not identified any property. That means that process is now going to be a somewhat protracted. In an ideal world, the council would have written back to me to say it has the property and I would be standing here saying the property is there and we want to move ahead really quickly. What I am hearing from Fingal County Council leads me to understand that this may add to the length.

What I am saying to the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, which I hope the Minister of State will convey, is that we really cannot forward any delays. We need the refuge space now. I am conscious there is a lead-in time where the need has already been identified. I welcome the fact that the Government and Tusla have identified the need. I know there is a commitment to move on this. My fear is that we are about to enter into a very long and protracted process. I want to put on the Minister of State's radar that this is a very serious issue that is placing an awful lot of pressure on services that are already extremely stretched. Women in my constituency have to leave when they are fleeing domestic and gender-based abuse. They have to leave their constituencies and local areas. We know that just adds to the trauma. In an ideal world, obviously, we would be talking about where exactly this is going to go and we are not at that stage yet.

My concern is that Fingal County Council does not have an appropriate site at the moment. I would be grateful for an update on whether the Government is looking at HSE sites or looking to buy property. What stage are we at in terms of the provision of the services? We have happily or unhappily, I suppose, reached the stage where we recognise there is a very real need for this. The Government recognises it and we know it. Certainly, the women working in Aoibhneas will tell the Minister of State that if they had the spaces, unfortunately, they have people to fill those spaces who are in desperate need of that accommodation. We have recognition. We know that we need the spaces. We know the Government has committed to do this. I am looking for a timeline from the Minister of State and also assurances that if Fingal County Council cannot provide the properties, the Government will be in a position to look beyond that.

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