James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Reilly for raising this very important matter around the lack of domestic violence refuge accommodation provision in north County Dublin. It is the stated goal of my Department and this Government that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. I know the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is deeply committed to working with partners in the sector and with Government colleagues to achieve this.

Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, in all its forms is a priority for this Government. We are focused on ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our communities. As the Deputy will know, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is currently leading work on a new whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This new plan will set an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The Minister is currently working to finalise the strategy for submission to Government in light of submissions received in the final consultative phase, which ended last month. The Minister intends to bring both the finalised strategy and the accompanying action plan to Government in the coming weeks. It has also 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. A detailed plan setting out how this will work is in preparation.

On the specific issue of refuge spaces, earlier this year, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Minister for Justice 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. It recommended an approach to address gaps highlighted in geographical coverage and inadequate provision of safe accommodation with immediate, medium- and long-term actions required. It also provides a list of priority areas where additional services would address the most immediate need. A minimum of between 50 and 60 new refuge places were identified by the review as a priority, while 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 refuge needs 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 represent areas with the most significant underprovision and represent a starting point to increased refuge spaces comprehensively and in every county across the country. The initial areas identified include Fingal-north Dublin, specifically Balbriggan, where ten family places are suggested as a starting point for prioritisation. As the Deputy pointed out, this includes nine spaces plus a multipurpose room. I understand from Tusla that there ongoing discussions and engagement with key stakeholders locally and Tusla has been available to assist as needed.

See this speech in context