Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I have known the Deputy for a long time. I am aware of the sincerity she brings to the issue. This is not the usual banter that goes on in here. I will meet the woman in question with the Deputy at a time to be decided next week, if we can. I will talk to the officials in the Department to see if a signal can be sent that these are exceptional circumstances. The reply provided to me indicates that there is flexibility and that local authorities can seek to prioritise allocations to households they consider to be most in need, which can include the victims of domestic violence. That is on the record, if that provides some comfort to officials. I have dealt with similar cases. Officials are afraid to break the seal because it may set a precedent that makes it more difficult for them to do their job.

The Deputy presented plenty of evidence to support her case. This was not a minor skirmish; somebody ended up in jail as a result of the violence that was perpetrated. There is clearly a belief on the part of the Garda that there is still a threat. It may be about producing some evidence of exceptional circumstances that will work for the local authority involved. I also have to be clear that the local authority has ultimate responsibility and is not at the behest of central government or the Department in discharging its fundamental duties. We must be careful that we do not grey out those lines. Let use see if we can progress the matter as best we can.

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