Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to initiate support for social housing schemes for women and men who are victims of domestic violence and who are leaving crisis accommodation and have ongoing support needs. [28624/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Cosc is the new National Office within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with key responsibility for ensuring the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Its remit includes overall responsibility for the co-ordination of policy relating to women and men who are victims of domestic violence.

In relation to accommodation, capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to voluntary housing bodies providing accommodation to meet special needs, including accommodation for victims of domestic violence. My Department also recoups to the 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.

The Independent Review of Implementation of Homeless Strategies was published in February 2006. Recommendation 16 of the Review states that "Victims of domestic violence should be recognised as an at risk target group, and in this regard the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women should consider convening an expert working group to examine refuge provision and occupancy around the country." The Government has accepted the broad thrust of the Review's recommendations and the details fall to be considered within the framework of work already underway in my Department on the finalisation of a revised and updated Strategy on Homelessness. In that context, my Department will continue to engage with Cosc to further address the accommodation-related issues arising in relation to domestic violence.