Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are areas, as the Deputy knows, where local authorities can provide priority, and the scheduling of allocations is governed by them. I have seen cases where a survivor of domestic violence has needed to leave their home and the local authority has been very supportive, even in instances where somebody has an interest in a family home but has to leave it.

We are making progress on this. We have changed how we fund domestic violence refuges. The capital assistance scheme, which provided 100% of the funding for accommodation, will also advance 100% of funding for ancillary services related to residences and counselling rooms. Our Department is doing a lot of work to support the Department of Justice and State agencies, with a particular focus on areas of the country where there are no refuges and to prioritise those areas. I was recently in Wexford, where a new refuge is being built. Following the Deputy's intervention, we will discuss this further with local authorities and revert to him.

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