Written answers

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Domestic Violence Refuges

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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22. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures his Department has taken to ensure that the Cuan Álainn women's refuge in Tallaght in Dublin 24 does not close down due to lack of funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36213/15]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It is my understanding that the Cuan Álainn Centre was established independently of the State. It opened in 2012 and is funded by Respond. The Cuan Álainn centre provides accommodation for a range of clients some of whom may have been in emergency accommodation provided by domestic violence refuges.

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 its request, to discuss the situation in Cuan Álainn Centre. The Department sought additional information from Respond, including information in relation to the housing association's overall financial position. The most recent information provided indicates that Respond, which is made up of two companies, is in good overall 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.

In this regard, I have agreed to meet Respond and I am hopeful that this meeting can be arranged shortly.

Tusla will continue to work closely with service providers to ensure that women and children fleeing domestic violence receive all necessary emergency support. The position in respect of the Cuan Álainn Centre is being kept under review.

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