Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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126. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of domestic violence refuge spaces nationally that are allocated for 2022; the cost of each refuge space annually; the amount of funding provided for refuge spaces in 2022; and the portion of the extra €41 million allocated to Tusla in budget 2022 that will be spent on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. [5321/22]

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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This question relates to domestic violence refuge spaces. How many have been allocated for 2022, what is the cost of each and how much funding as been provided overall? More importantly, how much of the additional €41 million allocation to Tusla will be spent on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, services?

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. Tusla is funded from my Department's Vote 40. At the end of 2021, Tusla funded 155 DSGBV-related accommodation units. These consisted of 137 refuge units and 18 safe houses. There were also six other available accommodation units.

Tusla has previously advised the Department that the cost of maintaining a single refuge is in the region of €100,000 annually. This estimated annual operating cost is based on a typical all-year round-the-clock refuge with support services and facilities on site. In 2021, Tusla allocated €28 million in core funding for DSGBV services plus €2 million in contingency funding to address Covid challenges. For 2022, I expect Tusla to increase its core funding to €30 million to support DSGBV services. A further €1 million will be allocated to address recommendations arising from Tusla's accommodation review.

When I issued my performance statement to Tusla, I outlined the overall parameters of Tusla's financial resources after budget 2022 and my priorities for the coming year. Tusla has prepared its annual business plan for 2022 in accordance with section 46 of the 2013 Act. The plan is undergoing the final edits for publication. It will outline the proposed activities for the year and the proposed allocation of financial resources. I am informed that Tusla is currently finalising service level agreements with operators in the DSGBV sector for the coming year and addressing requests for extra funding.

The next step in the provision of DSGBV accommodation will be guided by Tusla's accommodation review. As I outlined in response to a previous question, I expect that to be published by Tusla in the next two weeks.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister. He actually had all the facts and figures for which I was looking. That was welcome.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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It is rare that that is said in this House, but it had to be acknowledged.

We have had many discussions on DSGBV. In our first days back this term, it dominated debate. There is a cost of €100,000 for one space but there are only 18 safe houses. Even if just from an economic point of view, a safe house is a much better option. There are still counties, including Carlow in my constituency, that do not have refuges. Deputy Tully has mentioned Cavan-Monaghan. Should we be considering a housing model instead? I believe there is such a model in Waterford. It would not be possible everywhere but should we be considering it instead of refuges for people who are coming out of domestic violence?

Part of the problem in recent years is that there has been a time limit of, say, three months. The refuge has to put that in place because it has to try to manage its service. However, it is very difficult for people and they often end up drifting back into a very negative, violent relationship.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I fully agree with the Deputy. As she knows, responsibility is moving out of my Department and will be fully a matter for the Minister for Justice in the coming months.

With regard to the ongoing focus, we need to increase the number of refugee places. There is no doubt that a refuge is vital in addressing emergency needs when a woman or family is fleeing a life-or-death situation. However, we also need to include in our discussion the concept of safe houses as a medium-term solution for many families, but perhaps not requiring resources to the extent mentioned by the Deputy. The Deputy referred to the cost, which is €100,000 per space. It is a cost we absolutely must pay but, with regard to having a step-down facility to allow families to move back into a slightly more community-based setting, we need to include safe houses into our understanding of the accommodation we need to provide as we continue to address these issues.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister. We do need a wider debate. I am aware that one was had here over recent weeks. I hope that we can continue it and that action will come of it. One of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality was on relationships and sexuality education, the role of consent and gender power dynamics in relationships. We need to have the wider debate in addition to considering the important resources.

I want to mention counselling and play therapy. From dealing with Amber Women’s Refuge in Kilkenny, which covers both Carlow and Kilkenny, I am aware that the budget for counselling and play therapy is not absolutely guaranteed. For me, this service is one of the most crucial. One does not just leave a violent situation and get on with life the next day, with everything being fine, because a considerable amount of counselling is required. While I am aware that men suffer from domestic violence, it is mainly women. Children are also affected. The service is invaluable. We need to include it in the wider debate.

I welcome the fact that the services are going in under one Department. That is a really good, positive move.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The additional €2 million, bringing the budget from €28 million to €30 million, will be distributed across the services. That will allow the services to invest in more resources. A lot of flexibility is given to services in determining what they need in their area. I hope that will allow for additional resources for therapies such as play therapy, which I agree are vital. I was in Barnardos in Mulhuddart just before Christmas and noted the great benefits. I spoke to some parents and children who have benefited from the service.

It is also important to say that, even though responsibility for accommodation provision will be moving out of my Department, Tusla will still have a child protection role regarding children and families for whom domestic violence has been a key issue. One of the key investments Tusla is making is to put into each of its regions domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, specialists who can deal with those children and families who have had a specific DSGBV experience. The responsibility will remain within Tusla even after the changes we have discussed have taken place. Tusla will continue to have to have the ability to engage with and support families who have suffered from DSGBV.