Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's reply. The point I want to make strongly is that typically, women and children fleeing domestic violence would be sent to emergency accommodation or refuges but the supply of emergency accommodation, which is typically in the private rental or bed-and-breakfast sector, is drying up. In many cases it is also not suitable for women and children fleeing domestic violence situations.

I welcome the fact that the strategy has a particular focus on prevention and on ensuring that victims are better supported. The delivery of refuge accommodation is central to that. While I welcome that element of the Minister of State's reply, I am a bit concerned by his statement that the "costs for each of the planned refuge developments will be considered on a case-by-case basis". That is fair enough but I ask him to restate the overall figure and to confirm that it is still available. As I recall, funding in excess of €300 million was announced for the strategy and I ask for confirmation that the money is there to provide these much-needed centres in each of the areas that do not have one, including County Laois. Offaly is putting forward a different solution and that is fine. The domestic violence service there is doing good work but the geographic situation in that county is different.

A number of site options are being considered in Laois and I do not believe finding a site will be a problem. There is great local commitment to the development of a refuge from the local authority, An Garda Síochána, Tusla and various other stakeholders. Ms Marna Carroll, the service director of Laois Domestic Abuse Service, and her staff have done Trojan work and I commend them on all of their efforts, particularly over the last couple of years through the pandemic. It has not been easy for them. All public representatives in the area have had occasion to refer people to the service, sometimes too often. It is really important that we do this, that we give women and children support at that vulnerable point in their lives. I am sure the Minister of State will agree with me on that. I ask him to confirm that the pounds, shillings and pence are available and that money will not be a barrier when a suitable site is located. We must move these projects on quickly. We do not want them to take forever and a day. I am sure the Minister of State will agree that these projects must be up and running quickly. We do not want any delays.

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