Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of residential and emergency facilities available to women and men who have suffered personal abuse, injury, sexual assault, rape and so on from persons known or unknown to the person that are funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39660/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, through its role as chair of the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women, have overall responsibility for co-ordination of policy relating to violence against women.

In relation to accommodation, capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to voluntary housing bodies providing accommodation to meet special housing needs, including accommodation for victims of domestic violence. A detailed breakdown of such funding showing funding in respect of accommodation for victims of domestic violence is not available.

In accordance with Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, my Department recoups to local authorities 90% of their current expenditure on accommodation related costs arising in respect of homeless persons including, where appropriate, victims of domestic violence. The remaining 10% is provided from the revenue resources of the local authorities. Decisions on funding for accommodation of victims of domestic violence, including refuges and transitional accommodation, are matters for the local authorities in whose area the accommodation is situated. Associated care costs are the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children.

The following Table sets out details of the recoupment by my Department to local authorities for the last five years in respect of their current expenditure on accommodation related costs for refuges and transitional accommodation for homeless victims of domestic violence. The services providing the accommodation are also listed. In addition, it should be noted that mainstream emergency homeless accommodation would also be available to victims of violence if required.