Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this Topical Issue matter. For years the Respond! Housing Association has carried out very valuable and important work in regard to housing. As part of its work, it has operated a refuge for women and children in my constituency for almost three years. Over that period of time, it has accommodated 55 mothers and more than 80 children who have been the victims of mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and, in some cases, financial abuse.

This refuge provides a safe haven for victims who, unfortunately, are victims of domestic violence. Currently, it is under some threat due to a lack of funding and that is why I highlight the issue and again bring it to the Minister of State's attention, as I know he is already aware of it. The value of this refuge cannot be underestimated. It is regrettable that in this day and age we still need this sort of facility for women and children and that they must go through this kind of experience.

People like us, as legislators, have a responsibility to offer safety to these citizens. There is an existing application for part funding for the centre which is operated by Respond! but it operates under the name Cuan Alainn. It has applied to the Child and Family Agency. I hope that when the matter is being deliberated on there will be due consideration of and sympathy for Respond!’s predicament in trying to provide this service.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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I am taking this topical issue debate on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, who is in Armagh attending a North-South Ministerial Council meeting with his counterpart from Northern Ireland.

Cuan Alainn, situated in Tallaght, is a refuge for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. Since the centre opened in 2012, a total of 55 women and 82 children have accessed its services. Respond! has provided €350,000 in funding to the centre. The Child and Family Agency does not fund Respond!'s Cuan Alainn refuge through its domestic sexual and gender based violence services programme. The agency has advised that a meeting is planned with Respond! next week to discuss the services provided.

It might be helpful for members of the House if I share some background to the arrangements for dealing with this issue at a strategic level. Due to the complex nature of the issues involved in domestic and sexual violence, and the need for a co-ordinated and effective response to these issues, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Cosc, was established as an executive office in the Department of Justice and Equality in 2007 and that Department currently has overall policy responsibility in this area.

Cosc formulated a comprehensive cross-Government strategy, which combines the efforts of a very broad range of organisations and individuals, to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. This strategy runs to 2014. Cosc is in the process of preparing a new cross-sectoral strategy from 2015 onwards. With regard to service delivery, the new Child and Family Agency has since its establishment on 1 January this year, taken on responsibility for the provision of domestic, sexual and gender based violence services previously funded by the Health Service Executive, HSE. Specialist domestic, sexual and gender based violence services are primarily provided through a large number of non-governmental organisations.

In 2014, some €19 million in funding is being provided by the Child and Family Agency by way of grant aid to 62 specialist domestic violence and sexual violence services. These include 16 rape crisis centres and sexual violence services; 44 domestic violence services, including 20 refuges; two national networks, the rape crisis network Ireland, RCNI, and Safe Ireland. For the first time, this area is under national direction. We now have a single line of accountability and a consolidated national budget which is reserved for allocation to these particular services. Domestic, sexual and gender based violence services can now be delivered within a broad child and family support framework and this represents a significant change to the previous service delivery model.

In recognition of the policy priority which the agency is attaching to this issue, a dedicated position of programme manager for domestic, sexual and gender based violence was created within the agency and the post holder took up the position earlier this year. This will help to bring greater cohesion to service delivery. A review of domestic sexual and gender based violence services has been under way in recent months to get an in-depth understanding of current service provision and identify priorities for developments in these services. The findings of this review will be used in planning for future developments in service provision. A roadmap setting out strategic priorities for domestic sexual and gender based violence service provision over the next three years is due to be completed shortly.

While the emphasis is on front-line services, issues such as training support, quality assurance and preventative measures are also being considered. Through this process the Child and Family Agency is engaged in ongoing consultation with domestic violence and sexual violence services about planned developments. I am pleased to say that the consultative process has been very positive. The discussions will have regard to key aspects of planned developments and a commissioning approach for 2015 service provision will be established. The new Child and Family Agency is committed to working in partnership with domestic violence services and other services providing support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is awaiting the outcome of the agency's discussions with Respond!

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for the detailed response to the issue. I am aware of the review process which I hope will go a long way to providing a better understanding of the issue and will provide a proper framework for funding the sort of work that Cuan Alainn does. I hope the meeting next week will be positive. Respond! will welcome that too. Violence against women and children is not confined to particular locations. It is a nationwide problem and these essential services that offer a safe haven for children and mothers who are abused. I welcome whatever progress can be made on this issue.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and will raise his concerns again with the Minister upon his return. The Child and Family Agency is a major reform and has been welcomed across this House. The issue in the Deputy's constituency will be the subject of a meeting next week and we will follow up with discussions after that.