Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for facilitating this debate. As many speakers have said, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a significant issue throughout our country. At the extreme end of it, 275 females have died violently in this country since 1996. That is a huge number. An Garda Síochána has said that in 2024, it dealt with 65,000 domestic abuse calls alone. The statistics are clear and while we could spend all day rattling them off, it is obvious there is a significant issue in this regard. These are only the reported and recorded cases, however. We all know there is a significant amount of abuse and violence taking place that is not recorded or reported. That is the difficulty. For example, there are females living in domestic situations that are extremely coercive and difficult. This is a huge issue throughout the country.

To be fair to the Government, it has stepped up in many respects. It published its zero-tolerance strategy in 2022. I commend the Minister on his action plan that was published last month, which sets out additional funding and resources to critical areas that badly need it, such as organisations like Cuan. Obviously, that funding is vital.

There has to be a cultural shift in this country and that is no easy task. It has become more difficult. It was easier 20 or 30 years ago. Now, with the online world and social media, the task of creating that cultural change and that necessary respect is difficult. The biggest challenge the Government faces is in trying to deal with the online world. We have all heard stories and witnessed examples of the online world and the influence it has in leading people to perpetuate violence, abuse and so forth.

Much of the domestic abuse and violence against women happens within the home, within the individual household. It is fair to say there are not sufficient supports and refuge options for women in that situation. As public representatives, we have all met women who said they did not feel they had anywhere to go. That is a significant issue. I know the Minister and the Government are trying to improve that situation and that it is being dealt with as an urgency. Unfortunately, however, when it comes to family-friendly places where women can go to when they leave a home, particularly when children are involved, we are not where we need to be at present. We urgently need to address that.

In the housing area, as someone who came from a local authority, I know that the one thing often asked of women who left the family home and sought housing support was why they left the family home. It is not acceptable that women are asked that question. We need to change that culture dramatically. I ask the Minister to take that up with the Department of housing and the local authorities because that type of questioning of women when they leave the family home as a result of abuse, violence or coercive behaviour should not be happening. While I commend the actions taking place, we have a lot to do in this area. Critically, for females who find themselves in a situation they need to get out of, we must have options and supports available for them, and we need to dramatically improve them.

See this speech in context