Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. She is very welcome to the House. Some 34,000 cases of domestic abuse were reported to Women's Aid last year. It truly is a shocking figure. I welcome the fact that Ireland is one of the first countries in Europe to provide paid work leave to victims of domestic abuse. I very much welcome that development. Statutory domestic violence leave will provide up to five days of fully paid absence annually to employees impacted by domestic violence. This legislation is a significant step and is part of the Government's zero tolerance strategy. However, unfortunately we all know that the availability of places for victims of domestic abuse is seriously deficient, particularly in my county of Monaghan and in County Cavan as well. As the population increases, so too, unfortunately, does the need for refuge places. I believe there is a need for one place per 10,000 people. I would hope to see definite progress on this issue in the new year and other accommodation options put in place in the meantime, such as safe houses in the community where people would be able to be housed within their own communities and among their own families and have all the supports they would need. It can be difficult for victims, especially if they are well known in their community but there is a responsibility on all organisations to step forward, whether they be public, private, sport, music or social organisations. We all need to step forward and educate our members. All of us, and particularly us men, need more information and more education on this.

Over the years, local organisations such as the Tearmann Domestic Abuse Service, under the stewardship of Siobhán McKenna and her team, have endeavoured to assist those suffering from domestic abuse in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the provision of support, information and awareness training. I salute them for the work they have done. They too have welcomed the Government's new zero tolerance strategy, especially as the service has witnessed an increase in numbers, particularly since the Covid pandemic.

Cavan and Monaghan are two of nine counties that have no refuge centres for those experiencing sexual and domestic violence. I understand that the new strategy plans to deliver 19 refuge units across counties Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon and Leitrim. Unfortunately, by the time a site is secured, planning permission is secured and the property is built, it could be a number of years before all that happens. In the meantime, it is important that other options and more temporary options are explored, such as the purchase of houses in counties Cavan and Monaghan to accommodate those who are very much in need. I commend the officials in the housing sections of both Monaghan and Cavan county councils, who are actively exploring a site and are making progress in that regard.

Ultimately, we need to acquire a 24-hour refuge that offers safe accommodation and support for people suffering domestic, sexual and gender-based abuse. We must deliver a safe haven for those women, and their children if required, where they can recover, where they can be among their own communities and where they will have the proper supports. The quicker we get that refuge built, the better. I hope the Minister of State might have some good news for us on that this morning.

I will sign off, as I always do whenever I mention this subject, by appealing to anybody out there who is currently suffering from domestic abuse or violence to please come forward. There is good help there. Go ahead and make that phone call. Do not be suffering in silence.