Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

If we cannot introduce quality pay based on experience and expertise, then how can we promote our ideals in a wider sense in terms of society and democracy? We must fix what is happening in-house.

Regarding gender-based violence, I met with a woman last night from the Tallaght community. I knew of her many years ago, but I had not heard much about her for years. She has experienced a huge amount of trauma throughout her lifetime, but I will not go into that on the floor of the House. In the past eight weeks she was inspired by her own experiences and by the lack of community that exists in many spaces now. She looked at how she could bring women back together in spaces in working class communities. She set up what are called Sister Sheds, where women from different walks of life, mainly those from Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Finglas, can meet. Women are popping up everywhere. In the space of eight weeks, 1,000 women are engaging with this one woman to try to help her create a safe space in their communities where women can get together and talk.

The reason I mention this is because it is very difficult for grassroots initiatives that grow organically like that to get support. We are told that it is necessary to have a company limited by guarantee and that charitable status is required to apply for a small bit of funding to pay for a room. I have committed to covering the cost of one of the Sister Sheds groups. If any Dublin representatives in this House or in the Lower House want to support such a group, they could also take on paying the costs of one of those rooms in their constituency where the women can meet once a week and support each other. Refuge is one answer, but there is a prevention piece that can happen when women come together to support each other. It would be great if we could support such initiatives.