Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. At the outset, reports of the attack in Ashtown near the Tolka River are very disturbing. While I cannot comment on the specifics of the case, I condemn unreservedly any incident or threat of violence against vulnerable people in our society, particularly those from migrant backgrounds. People have the right to protest but they do not have the right to do it in a way that causes others to fear for their safety or in ways that threaten public order. I sought a report from gardaí on this, which I have received but have not yet had the chance to read. They are continuing to investigate the incident. I am sure Deputies will appreciate that I cannot comment further on an open investigation.

While the number of people sleeping rough is down to approximately 91 in the Dublin region, the upward trend of people accessing emergency accommodation in recent months is of serious concern to the Government. We introduced a no-fault eviction ban, a new acquisitions programme for vulnerable households, emergency leasing of extra units and increased housing assistance payment discretion rates. We are implementing the largest social housing programme in the history of the State. We do not have the figure yet, but we think the number of new social homes provided last year will be the highest since 1975. I know that the men who were the victims of this attack have been offered shelter. One is in hospital and others are in contact with services. They were offered shelter previously but did not avail of it for their own reasons. They want to be able to stay together and that has complicated matters a bit.

Several Deputies mentioned the community welfare service. I hear what they are saying in terms of difficulties their constituents are having in accessing community welfare officers. I will certainly raise this with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, in the coming days.

On the referendum on gender equality and on the family, I anticipate bringing forward the proposed wording. I welcome the fact that there are options but we hope to bring the proposed wording to the Cabinet before the end of this quarter. The electoral commission will be established next week. I think I am correct in saying the electoral commission will be the referendum commission, which means we do not have to go through the complicated process of establishing a referendum commission every time we have a referendum. I cannot promise that we will have the referendums this year but I would like to have them done this year. We will have a better idea in that regard in the next few weeks.

I will check with the Minister, Deputy Harris, about the timeline with regard to the homicide reviews. We have launched a new strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV. It is a five-year programme of reform, which aims at achieving a society that does not accept DSGBV or attitudes that underpin DSGBV. The strategy and accompanying implementation plan contains more than 140 detailed actions for implementation. There will be strong political oversight of implementation through the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services, which I chair. Education and awareness raising is also a big part of the Government's fight against this form of violence. We are working on national campaigns to raise awareness, including on the meaning of consent. Some of the main actions include doubling the number of refuge spaces available in Ireland.

Deputy Niamh Smyth raised the issue of advocacy in relation to County Cavan, in particular when it comes to providing refuge spaces there.

National sexual violence and domestic violence prevalence studies will be conducted at five-year intervals. There will be new legislation to provide for the introduction of the specific offences of non-fatal strangulation and stalking. Other measures include the training of front-line workers to identify domestic violence and refer victims and survivors to the appropriate services, and improving prosecutions and breaches of any and all DSGBV civil orders provided for in domestic violence and family law legislation.

The Government is also continuing to drive forward with the implementation of Supporting a Victim's Journey. We are determined that when victims of crime come forward, they will be safe in the knowledge that they will be helped, informed and treated with respect and dignity at every stage of their journey through the justice system.

We have also focused on strengthening legislation, including the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022. This wide-ranging Bill will increase the maximum sentence for assault causing harm from five years to ten.

Regarding the geographical provision of refuge spaces, we acknowledge the need for a significant increase in the provision of spaces and are committed to achieving this so that every person who needs a refuge space will have access to one. During the initial phase of work, we expect to provide 24 more spaces in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by next year. There will be a further 98 units in identified locations in 2025 along with a further 19 additional and upgraded units by the end of the strategy period. There are also plans to have 32 safe home units operational presently with plans to expand the numbers to 55 before the end of 2023.

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