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

I thank both of the Deputies for their contributions. On the delivery of refuge accommodation, a great amount of work is to be done. I am working very closely with Tusla and with service providers. I am building on the work that has been done to date to put in place a very clear structure so that we have a common design and service delivery right across the board. Where we have a county with no service provision at the moment, we will be able to put that structure in place by bringing together the relevant bodies and organisations.

That work is ongoing and funding has been allocated specifically for that. Once we get that structure in place, the delivery will happen much faster. Reaching that target of 282 is just a start and we will then go further to ensure we reach the top end of what is called for in the Istanbul Convention.

Deputy Stanton asked about violent pornography. Many governments in other jurisdictions have tried to address the issue and failed given that it is so easily accessible and available. However, we have committed to work specifically with experts in this area, online providers and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to try to find ways to at least alert young people. This is where the education comes into play to show that this is not healthy, not natural and not what healthy sexual relationships should look like, particularly where there is violent pornography. Unfortunately, this is starting to creep in and we are starting to see these behaviours. We know from reports and working with many of the organisations that violent relationships are happening at a much younger age and that is part of the influence. This is an area on which I want to make progress.

A significant element of the strategy focuses on education, not just in getting information and awareness to victims but from members of An Garda Síochána, the legal profession and the Judiciary. Education on coercive control will be a key element of that.

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