Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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283. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adults and children in Tusla funded domestic violence refuges and the number of adults and children in Tusla funded domestic violence step down accommodation on the first day of every month in 2016. [3443/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In 2016, Tusla provided €20.6 million in funding to support the provision of domestic, sexual and gender based violence services. This included funding for some 60 services throughout the country comprising:

- €12.0 m for emergency refuge and support services,

- €4.6m for community based domestic violence support services, and

- €4.0m for Rape Crisis Centres.

The provision of domestic violence refuge spaces nationally in 2016 was 155 family units, comprising 147 emergency refuge family units and 8 emergency non-refuge family units.

Tusla data indicates that in 2015, 1,736 women and 2,621 children were forced to leave their homes as a result of domestic violence and were accommodated in domestic violence accommodation. Data on the numbers of women and children who used these services in 2016 will be available later in the year. Tusla does not routinely collect information in respect of the numbers of women and children who use funded domestic violence refuges and step down accommodation on a month by month basis.

I have emphasised to Tusla the priority that I attach to the provision of services for those impacted by domestic violence. In 2017, Tusla is giving priority to implementing actions contained in the second National Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy, in preparation for ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which includes improving access to services geographically, including the provision of additional short-term and safe, emergency accommodation for women and children.