Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware of the present inadequate situation at Teach Tearmainn Women's Refuge in Newbridge in County Kildare; that two apartments are furnished and ready to be made available, but cannot be, due to staff funding shortfalls; that Teach Tearmainn is the only such refuge in County Kildare, the fourth most populous county in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22861/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, works in partnership with Teach Tearmainn to provide a range of services to women experiencing domestic violence and abuse in Kildare.

Teach Tearmainn's Women and Children's Refuge comprises 4 apartments and provides a place of safety and support to women and children who require it. Two of the apartments are now in operation and their running costs are provided for by Tusla.

Tusla is providing funding of €254,000 to Teach Tearmainn in 2015 and this funding has been maintained at the same level as funding in 2014. A grant of €80K that was originally diverted from other Tusla resources in 2014 has been included as core funding for the service in 2015. There was no budgetary provision for Teach Tearmainn refuge costs prior to establishment of Tusla, in 2014.

The work of Teach Tearmainn in responding to and supporting victims of domestic violence is recognised and valued.

Tusla's focus has been on maintaining and supporting the provision of frontline services to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence. There is for the first time a consolidated national budget for domestic and sexual violence services and an opportunity for more co-ordinated and equitable provision of these services across the country.

Future planning for Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence services will seek to address gaps, avoid duplication and support effective delivery of frontline services nationally. Further developments in domestic violence services in Co. Kildare will be considered as part of Tusla's overall commissioning processes.