Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The answer I provided encapsulates the Health Service Executive's view of how this matter should be addressed. It recognises that there are circumstances in which a residential service will be required because of the nature of the incidents which give rise to referrals to the service in question. It is clear to me, as Minister of State with responsibility for children, that children are involved in these cases. Removing a child from the family home should always be the last resort. This is recognised as best practice in social work.

When domestic violence occurs, one has a prima facie case for removal of the victim of violence and the children involved. Nevertheless, we must remember that when children are involved, the best outcome at all times is for services to be wrapped around the family and the interventions required are provided for. We have to move away from a fully fledged interventionist approach which results in the break-up of families. While I am not suggesting Meath women's refuge and support services is governed by such a philosophy, we must challenge ourselves to ensure children are kept in families and that every possible step is taken before a child is removed from a family. That is the consideration outlined in the response.