Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all welcome the establishment of an agency dealing with DSGBV. We all get the logic behind giving one agency, operating under the Department of Justice, the scope to deal with the huge scourge of domestic violence. We were not exactly shocked by recent, disastrous statistics on violence against women, in particular, but the data on the huge increase in domestic violence during the Covid period were striking. We all have an understanding of how people, even more than usual, were trapped in what should be their place of safety. Domestic violence ranges from psychological violence right through to absolutely brutal attacks. A huge number of women have died in situations where the State has failed to protect them.

While I welcome the Bill, I make a point I have made in respect of other legislation, namely, that the new agency will only work if it is provided with the resources to carry out its remit. It must have a sufficient amount of leverage and power when dealing with other Departments and agencies. All those parts need to be in place.

Deputy Cronin spoke about Teach Tearmainn. I was lucky enough to visit it as part of a delegation organised by the Ceann Comhairle and including the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Cyprus. We met the service providers and women who had availed of the service. They spoke of the wider issues we are all aware of, including the difficulty people experience in trying to avail of court services. We need to look at that aspect. The approach must be about delivery. When women are in danger, there needs to be a place to which they can go. I spoke previously in the House about Women's Aid in Dundalk, which has provided statistics on its work. From January to October 2022, it received 1,489 calls and 310 requests for accommodation, 293 of which could not be accommodated. People are forced to stay with family members or seek help from Louth County Council's homeless services or North Dundalk Family Hub. Some have to use bed and breakfast accommodation, which is an issue in the context of the current crisis in housing. Sometimes people are being put back into danger when they reach out for help. That definitely needs to be addressed across the board.

I have been told about a number of issues that have arisen in regard to court safety and protection orders where the respondent is in the North. I am seeking the exact figures in that regard. The information is not available from the Courts Service. I will speak to the Minister of State about this after the debate. That information needs to be looked at and collated. We cannot have the Border providing safety in any way, shape or form to abusers.

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