Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the increased supports for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60237/22]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the Minister on her appointment as Minister for Justice. I wish her well for what may be a limited amount of time in that role, although it may be longer.

My question relates to the third iteration of the Government's plan in respect of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and, specifically, the supports and service provision therein. What are the views of the Minister in respect of how it is going?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, and for his kind comments. I wish the Minister, Deputy McEntee, well. She has just started her maternity leave. I hope all will go well with the birth of her second child.

Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for me and the Government. This includes focusing on prevention and providing victim-centred supports and services. It is opportune to highlight this work now, as my Department, and many others, are engaged in actively supporting the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, recently published the third national strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The goal is clear: zero tolerance in Irish society for any form of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Under budget 2023, an extra €9 million, a 22% increase, was secured.  This includes increased funding of almost €7 million for organisations funded by Tusla to address acute service demands in existing services throughout the country, and for investment in new services as outlined in the strategy. The funding also strengthens the nationwide supports and will help to maintain the momentum in implementing the ambitious goals set out in the national strategy.

In total, Tusla has been allocated €37 million for funding domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services. Separate from this, my Department has allocated €6.09 million for measures to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including through awareness-raising campaigns and funding for perpetrator programmes. My Department has also allocated an additional €5.8 million in funding to promote and assist the development of specific support services for victims of crime, including victims of domestic and sexual crime, within the criminal justice system.

Taken together with the ambitious plans for the development of refuge accommodation through the life of the strategy, I am confident the substantially increased investment in this critical area will make a real and lasting impact on the experience of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her reply. At this time last year, the Ceann Comhairle agreed to the illumination of Leinster House to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. That UN programme, in which Ireland participates, is commendable. There is a significant amount of work to be done. While I fully appreciate the sums the Minister stated have been allocated in various budgets across Departments and agencies, one of the things to come to light in the past 12 months has been the lack of refuge facilities on a county basis. How is that roll-out going across the various Departments? I have a related question on the number of gardaí across the country who are appropriately trained to deal with victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Do we now have a number of gardaí in each Garda division across the State that is appropriate to the level of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence being reported?

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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A women's refuge for Carlow was deemed a priority in the Tusla emergency accommodation review in February 2022. An interdepartmental group was being assembled to consider what template was to be used for domestic violence services nationwide.

We need an interagency approach to planning and delivery of accommodation for victims of domestic violence. What is the status of this group at present? What are we doing to provide a women's refuge for Carlow? I thank the Minister for stating that the funding is there. A commitment has been given but we need to get it done through all of us working together We need to get this refuge as soon as possible. Safe Ireland's report will be out shortly. That will also be part of the wraparound supports, which is most welcome.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Plans are in place for refuge places. These locations have been chosen on the basis of required proximity to a refuge as well as a need for refuge spaces per head of population in densely populated areas. They represent areas where there is the most significant under-provision and are a starting point to increasing refuge spaces comprehensively in every county throughout the country. We have committed to the delivery of 24 refuge places, which is currently under way in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan, by 2024. We will deliver 98 refuge units in priority locations by 2025.

On north County Dublin, it is my intention that every person who needs a refuge space will have access to one. That is the Government's intention. As a start, the strategy commits to doubling the number of refuge places to 280. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces. We will also work to deliver additional safe houses and step-down accommodation. The review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence undertaken by Tusla identifies priority locations where there is a particular urgency.

On Deputy Murnane O'Connor's question, part of the work being undertaken is to assess the readiness of locations to proceed with the construction of refuges having regard to local capacity, availability and suitable sites. My Department will engage with groups, including those in Carlow and in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, because we have no refuge there either. Making additional spaces available as soon as possible is a priority for me and this Government. Carlow, Cavan and Monaghan are on the list of priority locations.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her comprehensive response. I will have to put in a parliamentary question to get all of that in writing. I am not sure the Minister addressed my point about Garda training. It is important, not just for NGOs but victims, to know that An Garda Síochána has the appropriate resources and training available to it on a divisional basis throughout the country.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There are special units in every single division. Having spoken to some gardaí recently, they said the number of people coming forward to these specialised units dealing with domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is increasing. We are breaking down that stigma for some people who may be worried about coming forward and may be afraid. They are now going to specially trained people in this field. I know that gardaí have been specially trained to deal with victims because there is no doubt it is an awful place for people to find themselves. I was pleased to hear that the number of people coming forward is increasing all the time. It is important that these facilities are here and this support is available to them at a very vulnerable time for them. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.