Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware of the serious concerns in the Tallaght region of Dublin 24 regarding the imminent closure of the Cuan Álainn refuge for women and families which has operated in the area since 2012; his views on a statement by Respond Housing Agency that this closure is due to the lack of Government funding; the action he will take to intervene in the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Cuan Álainn centre provides accommodation for women and children who may have been in emergency accommodation provided by domestic violence refuges. I understand that the Centre was established independently of the State. It opened in 2012 and has been funded by Respond Housing Association.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency allocates available funding for domestic violence to emergency refuge accommodation services and community-based domestic violence supports.

I am advised that the Cuan Álainn facility does not operate as a front line emergency domestic violence service, rather it provides 'step down' or 'transitional' accommodation to support a transition into a permanent settled home. This can include survivors of domestic violence who are transitioning from emergency services to a new, permanent home.

Officials from my Department and Tusla recently met with Respond, at the housing association’s request, to discuss the situation in Cuan Álainn. The Department sought additional information from Respond, including information in relation to the housing association's financial well being. The most recent information provided indicates that Respond, which is made up of two companies, remains in good financial health.

I hope that the matter can be satisfactorily resolved, by allowing sufficient time for all avenues to be explored by the relevant parties. This will need to include discussion with other parties, including the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government as it would appear that these families have pressing housing needs.