Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that the interdepartmental steering committee is making domestic violence service provision a priority. I am told there is funding available to support action at local level at local level while we wait for a women's refuge in Carlow town. We are moving on it. It is a bit slow but we have the funding and we are getting there. However, we are struggling with the provision we have for emergency accommodation for those fleeing violence and experiencing homelessness. This is not just a women's issue. Men's Aid Ireland has reported a 37% increase in demand for its domestic support service for men. Those figures are also replicated in Carlow. It is worrying as we approach international men's day this week. We have some safe houses in the local authority buildings in Carlow, but when they are full, the local authority cannot put in regulation 49 in social housing. They need to have approved housing bodies, AHBs, managing them because there is no such thing as a temporary licence. The legislation must change to react quickly on this. Will the Taoiseach speak to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, about this? I welcome the Taoiseach's commitment and that of the Government to building houses and affordable houses in particular.

See this speech in context