Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter and congratulate her on her briefing in the audiovisual room yesterday. Well done to her for her advocacy. I know she had 14 ambassadors in support but she is right. Refuges save lives but they are not for long-term living. I share completely her views. The Minister sends his apologies for being unable to be here today. He thanks the Senator for raising the important matter of the examination of the use of properties seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau as move-on accommodation for women and children leaving domestic, sexual and gender-based violence refuges.

The Government fully recognises the importance of ensuring that victims of domestic violence have access not only to emergency refuge spaces but also to safe and sustainable accommodation options when they leave those settings. The transition from refuge accommodation to independent living is a crucial stage and ensuring appropriate supports at that point remains a priority across Government. This is reflected in the actions set out in the zero tolerance strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

In relation to the specific proposal raised, the Minister advises that the use of property seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau for move-on accommodation is not currently under consideration from a policy perspective. It is also important to emphasise that the safety of victims of domestic violence underpins the development of all accommodation responses. In that context, the repurposing of properties, including those seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau, may not be capable of meeting the necessary security, confidentiality and suitability requirements.

That said, it is important to recognise the contribution that proceeds of crime already make to community supports. Funds generated through the Criminal Assets Bureau are channelled into the community safety fund, which supports a wide range of projects aimed at enhancing community safety and supporting vulnerable groups. A number of these projects directly support services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

There is also ongoing and significant work across government to increase safe accommodation capacity for victims of domestic violence. This includes continued investment in refuge development and provision designed to assist survivors before they move toward independent living.In addition, significant progress is being made through interdepartmental collaboration between Cuan, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and local authorities. The review of the 2017 policy and procedure guidance for housing authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs is currently under development by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Cuan welcome the review and update of the 2017 guidance, which prioritises both emergency and long-term accommodation needs for households affected by domestic abuse and violence. A key objective for Cuan is to establish a system for collecting and reporting data on the needs and outcomes of households identified as victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across local authority areas. This data will provide an evidence base to inform the development of services in Cuan's national services development plan.

Cuan continues to enhance its partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the roll-out of this guidance and to identify opportunities for strengthening its implementation throughout the sector. Taken together, these measures demonstrate a sustained commitment across government to strengthening the accommodation pathway for victims of domestic violence. While the specific proposal relating to Criminal Assets Bureau-seized property is not under active consideration, the Government remains focused on expanding safe, appropriate and timely housing options through existing mechanisms and developing policy. I will certainly bring back the remarks the Senator made this morning. There is much merit in what she suggests. I commend her on her work and ongoing advocacy. It is a very important issue on which we must continue to shine a light, and we must also provide a range of sustained solutions as she proffered this morning.