Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Over the previous two budgets, I had secured specific increases for Tusla directed specifically to DSGBV services. As the Deputy knows, the Government has made the decision that these services will move out of Tusla to the new agency. In advance of that, the Department of Justice has responsibility for that part of Tusla's operation and that is done through a memorandum of understanding. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, was very successful in securing €7 million to support those services. My understanding is that this is current funding, although I am open to correction. She is also working on a capital programme and, in particular, on better activating the capital assistance scheme, CAS, in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and making it easier for services to be able to access that.

We have found that it takes too long for a DSGBV NGO or an approved housing body to draw down that funding and deliver the new refuge service. A great deal of work has been done to simplify the process. The Minister for Justice has set out a plan for the much-needed development of new refuge spaces around the country.

See this speech in context