Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

7. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she plans to extend the flexibility on rent supplement for victims of domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48443/21]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the support the Minister is providing in her Department to victims of domestic violence, particularly on rent supplement flexibility. The facts are that, since 1996, 209 women and 16 children have died as a result of domestic violence. Women's Aid tells us that last year over 29,000 contacts were made with the organisation, an increase of 43%. Serious and absolutely appalling crimes are being committed and the Minister's support must continue. What does the Minister intend to do about increasing flexibility for victims of domestic violence in respect of rent allowance?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue.

In August of last year I agreed a protocol with Tusla on a pilot basis to make rent supplement more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence. This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties. The arrangements in this protocol are additional and complementary to, and not a substitution for, the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.

The co-ordination of the services addressing the needs of these customers is managed by the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. The accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through this joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.

Under the protocol, access to rent supplement can be provided on referral from Tusla or by a prescribed Tusla-funded service provider. Rent supplement is provided for an initial three-month period without the standard means test being applied. Financial assistance can also be provided to assist the customer with a rent deposit or towards the cost of rent in advance. After the initial three months have passed, a further three-month extension can be made under the protocol subject to the standard means assessment and eligibility criteria of the scheme. Under the protocol, after six months of support, it is expected that the customer will, if eligible, be able to migrate to the housing assistance payment or other social housing supports, supported by his or her local authority. A total of 140 recipients have availed of support under this protocol since August 2020. There are currently 52 victims of domestic violence being supported with rent supplement under these arrangements.

In line with the national economic recovery plan, these special arrangements for victims of domestic abuse will remain in place until the end of 2021 at least. A review of the pilot is under way. It is a good scheme. We need to support women who become homeless because of domestic violence, and I want to see the scheme continued.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's comments on her commitment to continuing supports. The facts are absolutely shocking. Women's Aid tells us that 24,800 women contacted the organisation last year about emotional, physical or sexual abuse. It is absolutely appalling. I know from its annual report that three women died violently last year as a result of domestic violence, 709 women were faced with the threat of murder, 148 pregnant women were abused and there were 28 miscarriages. This is an appalling situation, and we cannot do enough to help these women. Women's Aid requests in its annual report - and I appreciate that this request has been made of the Department of Justice and other Departments - that there be more places of safety, appropriately funded and supported, for women and children to get safety when vile, evil people are trying to kill them or abuse them in the most appalling, unacceptable, criminal way.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice is consulting on a third strategy for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The Government has taken significant action in tackling the scourge of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It has provided additional relevant supports during the pandemic. As we know, victims have been particularly vulnerable at this time. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, allocated €30 million to Tusla, the highest allocation for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services to date. This includes €28 million in core funding and an additional €2 million to address Covid challenges. As Minister for Justice, I fully support all the supports we give to this initiative. We have provided €4.1 million in funding to support victims of crime and some €3 million for raising awareness of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The Department of Justice continues to provide Covid-specific funding for organisations.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's commitment to this issue. Earlier, I heard a discussion on "Morning Ireland" about a regional rape crisis centre that is looking for a significant increase in funding. It is well worth supporting people in that situation. Indeed, we cannot do enough to help those voluntary organisations. I appreciate ad fully respect the work the Minister is doing. We must all act together in a stronger and more cohesive way to support all the people in these terrible and appalling situations. Last year alone, I understand that more than 290,000 people accessed the Women's Aid website looking for information. There is much pain, trouble, hurt and anger out there. We must continue the supports the Minister outlined.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is absolutely right that we need to continue to support the women who are victims of domestic violence. The work to implement all the recommendations of the O'Malley report, as set out in the Supporting a Victim's Journey strategy, continues to be a priority. As part of the implementation of Supporting A Victim's Journey, the Department of Justice reviewed the supports and funding it provides to civil to society organisations offering front-line services. This was done to map the journey that faces victims and identify the gaps in available support. Work is now under way with NGO partners to fill the gaps identified, which mainly relate to training and supervision issues. This falls under the remit of the Department of Justice and there is a lot of work going on in that regard. We have written to all Departments to see how we can have a cross-government approach to this issue and what they need to do to feed into the strategy.