Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she will bring forward to tackle domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17097/16]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I ask this question against the backdrop of the Women's Aid impact report launched last week. As the Minister is aware, there were 22,341 reports of domestic abuse against women and children made in 2015, amounting to 61 per day or almost one every 20 minutes. That is just what is being reported. What measures will the Minister bring forward to tackle domestic violence and will she make a statement on the matter?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Like the Deputy, I attended the launch of the Women's Aid impact report last week. The statistics quoted and all the statistics are very disturbing. I stated at the launch that I thought when I began working on equality issues many years ago, as people became better informed as we dealt with issues of violence, alcohol and drugs, perhaps this scourge might even disappear. Unfortunately, the opposite has been the case and it remains a very serious social issue and a personal health issue for the people, primarily women, who are involved. We need to put all our attention on tackling this scourge of domestic violence.

It is important that people report incidents and that we have better laws, with gardaí better trained to respond. It is a priority issue for An Garda Síochána. We also have the national strategy and I met all the stakeholders to discuss and develop that. It is very comprehensive for the years ahead. We also need stronger legislation and the consolidated domestic violence Bill is currently being worked on. I hope we will be able to publish that later this year, as that would be helpful. There are a number of outstanding issues and Women's Aid has highlighted elements relating to offences, suggesting some improvements. If we can, we will respond to the points made. I have stated that increased funding will be necessary in this area and the HSE is considering further support for helplines, which is important. I have been in touch with officials about that.

I was concerned about the points raised at the launch of the report, particularly the facilities in Dolphin House. I have arranged for a meeting between representatives of the Courts Service of Ireland and Women's Aid to see if we can do something further to accelerate an improvement in conditions. There will be extra staff and some cases are being taken to a different location. I hope we can accelerate improvements there in advance of the development of the new Hammond Lane facility, which will be state of the art, in dealing with family law cases.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the Minister's comments, particularly regarding stronger legislation that is required. I was going to ask when the Bill will be published and the reason for the delay but, to be fair, the Minister has answered that. She rightly spoke about encouraging women to report incidents of domestic violence. Even in the time we are having this debate, there is no doubt that at least another five or six women are reporting such incidents, so it is absolutely a major crisis.

One aspect that the Minister is examining and which shocked me is what is happening in the courts in Dolphin House. There is a waiting period of at least four months for women reporting issues of domestic violence before it comes to a hearing. In those four months many of the women must live in the home of the perpetrator, with children stuck in an absolutely impossible position. In many cases, these people are intimidated. Does the Minister intend to act, on the suggestion of Women's Aid, to extend eligibility for safety orders to young women in dating relationships?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Courts Service has established a committee to drive forward the development of the family court complex. Last year I worked with the then Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Simon Harris, and we secured that site for this new family court development. It is extremely important and will make a significant difference.

2 o’clock

Additional staff have now been sanctioned for the Dublin District Family Law Court office and that will facilitate the transfer of child care cases from Dolphin House to the new temporary child care court facility in Chancery Street until the new family law complex is open. That will help.

In respect of the inclusion of dating relationships in the legislation, that is something I am examining. It raises complex issues, but I will examine it and if at all possible I will include it in the legislation. I am taking advice on that. It is certainly an issue I am considering. In the vast majority of cases where emergency orders are necessary, they are dealt with as emergencies, but I am very conscious of the delays and am concerned about it, as is the President of the District Court, and we would like to take action to ensure that situation changes.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for clarifying that. We can speak about what happens in Dublin and in respect of the court here, but this is a problem right around the country. In particular, the fact that Teach Tearmainn, with which the Minister would be familiar, is not open to full capacity to deal with women who suffer from violence and have to leave their homes is a huge shame. Women are being stripped of their dignity and their children are too, because children are often unsuspecting independent witnesses to what goes on between their parents. There is a problem in terms of women who have to leave their homes because of domestic violence. They are not considered homeless by the local housing authorities, so the refuges need to be working at full capacity and we need more of them.

One other question I would like to ask the Minister relates to the full resources that are needed for the national 24-7 domestic violence helpline. What assistance can the Minister give here?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As I said in relation to the phone line, my Department has been in touch with the HSE in respect of the funding of that for this year. I understand that funding is under consideration at present and there is an intention to support the phone line. I will monitor that and try to get a date for the Deputy. I will communicate with her on that.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Eugene Murphy is not in the House, so I do not propose to take Question No. 16.