Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for the, I think, unanimous support for this motion. I appreciate there was short notice or a short timeframe but that is the way the opt-in motions work. It is important we send a very strong message not just nationally on what we are doing but also on an EU level and internationally that we will not tolerate any form of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence or violence against women. Opting into this at the start means we can be part of the legislative process to steer and direct how this EU proposal will go.It is really important. It is also important that it aligns with what we are doing at home - whether that is legislation, policy or the focus on the delivery of services, as some have mentioned - and that it is based around the four key pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution and policy co-ordination, on which the third national national strategy will be based.

I reassure the Senators, who have raised many issues, that the strategy has been finalised. In the finalisation of the strategy I have worked with my own Department; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Department of Health; the Department of Social Protection; the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the Department of Defence; the Department of Education, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the Department of Transport; the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. A huge amount of work has been done, with quite a number of actions coming from all of the Departments.

I wish to specifically reference the work done in the area of refuge, as most Senators have raised the issue. I am very much aware that the number of refuge places that we have, namely, 141, is not enough. It is nowhere near enough. There will be a very clear plan within the new strategy setting out our intention in that area in the short, medium and long term. We must acknowledge that it will take time to develop. There will be an increase in the number of refuge accommodation places and safe houses. We will also look at other ways to keep people safe, whether it is at home or elsewhere. There is an interdepartmental group which comprises my own Department, staff from Tusla and officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The group has looked at the current structure. It has looked at how it works and how it does not work in terms of the development of new refuges and accommodation. The group has also considered how we can change it, improve it, and how we can ensure that gaps can be filled in the counties where there is no refuge accommodation and also expand where we know there needs to be further development. We are not just looking at women, which is the main focus. We are also ensuring that support is provided for male victims. That will very much be a key element of the strategy. As I said, the publication of the strategy is imminent. It will be published in the next few weeks. I thank the Senators for their support. They are doing their own work in this area. As Senator Ward mentioned, the House has already passed motions on it. The Senators have stated clearly that it is an issue that they want to deal with and to put on top of the agenda. That is very welcome.