James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank Deputy Stanley for raising the very important matter of the domestic violence refuge accommodation that is necessary in County Laois. I have heard the Deputy's concerns clearly and will relay them to the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee.

I heard very clearly and understand the very strong commitment in County Laois to deliver this necessary accommodation to support women and children who find themselves in the horrific situation of domestic violence or abuse. I do not have the global figure to hand, but I will get it for the Deputy. I assure him that funding is in place to support the establishment and building of necessary refuge accommodation over the coming years.

As previously mentioned, the central element of the new strategy is that everyone who needs a refuge space should be able to access once. When someone is faced with the difficult choice to leave an abusive situation, the Minister wants them to know exactly where they can turn to for help. Over the lifetime of this strategy, we will see the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces. The Minister believes that we will be putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation now, including the development of a new strategy, and that it will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be opened each year. Work undertaken in implementing the strategy has already prepared the way for this, including a significant increase in funding as part of budget 2023. An interdepartmental group is developing and progressing agreed processes and approaches to ensure that we will have the highest standard of refuge accommodation delivered in the most efficient way. The Minister knows that there is much to do, but, along with our Government colleagues, we are determined to do whatever is necessary.

Again, I will read the Deputy’s concerns to the Minister. In my county we have the Wexford Women’s Refuge and Wexford Rape Crisis, both of which do fantastic and absolutely wonderful work. I know how important it is for Laois to have its own accommodation. I will relay that to the Minister.

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