Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, Offaly County Council was pushed to provide safe houses for victims of domestic violence. It was asked to do so out of its housing allocation as a matter of urgency but the council's response was that it needed more time. I understand anyone's plea for more time but when we face a crisis, time is often something of which we have little.

Recently, I met with Offaly Domestic Violence Support Services and it is obvious that victims do not have any more time. They cannot wait; this cannot wait. People in these areas need help now and I urge Offaly County Council to act now.

Last week, Tusla published its review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It highlighted major gaps in services across the country but particularly in the midlands. Some 62% of people living in County Offaly, 37% of those living in County Laois and a truly shocking 93% of those living in County Longford live more than a 30-minute drive from emergency accommodation. We need to fix this. Lack of services for victims is not only a moral failing; it is a failing of our international obligations and we need an immediate solution.

Following the publication of the Tusla review, the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, listed counties Laois, Westmeath and Longford for prioritisation for the urgent provision of family units. Laois Domestic Abuse Service has been campaigning for many years for a refuge and Portlaoise has been prioritised for eight family places. Laois County Council is collaborating to identify a suitable site, hopefully as soon as possible. We need to see the same level of prioritisation for County Offaly.

The Minister, Deputy McEntee, will outline timelines and structures for the delivery of safe accommodation and refuge places as part of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I understand this strategy will be published in April and I look forward to reviewing it with a midlands lens.