Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I will mention Clare Haven Services which has provided 30 years of invaluable service to women and families throughout the county, region and the country at large.

Through its educational arm and in collaboration with Technological University of the Shannon, Haven Horizons has put together a level 6 accredited course in domestic abuse and coercive control. Its work and contribution are invaluable and I thank it for those.

I am sorry to say that, for every family that Clare Haven accepted into refuge over the past three months, it unfortunately had to turn away two. These heart-breaking bottlenecks point towards the need for service-based organisations and wraparound supports to be directly involved in ramping up the provision of long-term accommodation for survivors of domestic violence. These people need beds, but they first need dignity.

Refuges across Ireland are like accident and emergency departments. They are not just overcrowded and underfunded by the Government but also are lacking in supply through no fault of their own. The third national strategy is admirable, as is the rent supplement the Minister of State mentioned, but without supply, these measures are futile.

I commend the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on her work and wish her well on her maternity leave.

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