Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 855: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps which are being taken by his Department to ensure that the appropriate procedures are put in place in order to enable persons who are subject to domestic violence within their relationships, to escape therefrom, and in particular the financial help and assistance which is given to such persons to enable them secure accommodation either through a local authority or a voluntary housing association; if he is satisfied regarding the number of refuges available for victims of domestic violence; if additional moneys will be provided to increase the number of such refuges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Capital funding is available through my Department's capital assistance scheme to approved voluntary housing bodies to provide accommodation to meet special housing needs, such as elderly, homeless or persons with disabilities and may include accommodation for victims of domestic violence. My Department's involvement with the scheme relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the scheme, and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the scheme, are the responsibility of the appropriate local authority.

Persons who are victims of domestic violence and are not able to afford their own accommodation may apply for local authority housing. It is a matter for individual local authorities to assess eligibility for local authority housing in accordance with their scheme of letting priorities.