James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for raising this very important issue. I know the good work she has done for a considerable amount of time in this area.

The zero tolerance strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which was published last June and runs to 2026, commits to doubling the number of refuge places within its lifetime. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces and by the end of this strategy there will be more than 280 refuge spaces in the country.In addition, there will be delivery of more safe homes and step-down accommodation options. By the end of 2024, we expect to have delivered 24 refuge units in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan. I acknowledge the great work done by Wexford Women's Refuge and the Wexford Rape Crisis Centre in this area. Work is ongoing to finalise lead providers and sites for each of the other priority locations, with many already identified.

It is our intention that an additional 98 refuge units in priority locations will have been delivered by 2025 which, together with a further 19 additional and upgraded units delivered before the end of the strategy, will double the current number of refuge places. Balbriggan was identified as one of the priority locations and I understand that Aoibhneas women's and children's refuge is working with Tusla's domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services and Fingal County Council to advance this new refuge and secure a site in the area for the new facility.

In the meantime, the Housing Agency, which has helped Aoibhneas in identifying site options, is working with it on the design approach and on the funding proposal. Given the active participation of Aoibhneas and the collaboration already happening regarding the site and the design, I expect this project to move forward swiftly once a suitable site is secured with the assistance of the council. Aoibhneas women's and children's refuge currently runs a refuge in Coolock and provides domestic violence support services across north Dublin, including in the Balbriggan and wider Fingal area.

An implementation plan will be developed to take forward refuge developments in all of the priority areas identified. At the same time, work is ongoing on delivering more safe homes, which are usually separate units of supported emergency accommodation, such as an apartment or house at a community level, in order to meet the needs of those at low to medium risk of serious harm. An additional 12 safe homes were delivered in 2022, bringing the total to 32 nationwide. We plan to increase this to 50 by the end of this year.

We are continuing to work together with domestic violence organisations and applicant groups, through the Housing Agency, to provide assistance with capital funding applications, public procurement, and design and build processes. This approach will ensure we have the highest standard of refuge accommodation, delivered in the most efficient way. The zero tolerance strategy also commits to examining other options for victims of domestic violence, such as addressing barriers to remaining in the home if that is the preferred option.