Written answers

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Domestic Violence Services

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1063. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the decision not to facilitate access to emergency rent supplement will be reconsidered in view of that fact this would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8334/20]

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1064. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the person or body with lead responsibility for the co-ordination of the emergency Covid-19 response to domestic, sexual and gender based violence and the need to put in place a short term emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to access safe housing for a period of three months and-or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8336/20]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1063 and 1064 together.

Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

The co-ordination of the services addressing the needs of these customers is managed by The Child and Family Agency, Tusla.  Victims of domestic violence accommodation needs are met through this joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.

A housing authority can provide, on a humanitarian basis, short-term emergency housing to persons who are unable to return to their homes because of domestic violence without having to assess their eligibility for social housing support or include them on the authority’s waiting list for housing supports. 

Generally, where a victim is not seeking to return to the family home, a social housing assessment by the housing authority is the appropriate response.  Assessments should be conducted in a timely manner to ensure that victims do not end up residing in emergency accommodation, including refuge facilities, for long periods of time.  Once a customer has successfully completed a housing needs assessment, they can then apply for HAP.

As part of this response, Tusla funds and supports over 40 organisations providing support services to victims of domestic violence, including 20 refuges providing safe specialist emergency domestic violence accommodation. Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services, and in particular, Domestic Violence refuges have been identified as one of Tusla’s three highest priority services in its crisis management responses to the period of Covid-19 public health measures.  A range of supports have been put in place to assure continuity of essential services and there is ongoing systematic engagement between Tusla and service provider organisations around emerging needs.

Since the introduction of HAP, Rent Supplement continues to revert to original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require income support to meet their tenancy cost whilst they seek alternative employment.  Rent supplement, by virtue of its short-term nature and its targeted customer cohort, is not considered the principal solution in meeting the accommodation needs of those fleeing domestic or sexual violence, in particular where, following a Housing Needs Assessment, HAP is an available option.

There are no indications within my department that the rent supplement scheme is operating in a way that is preventing victims of domestic violence from getting the support they need, and Community Welfare Officers are using the full flexibility of the scheme to assist those in need during the current crisis.

As I have already indicated, I support the call for additional supports to be made available to victims of domestic violence during the current pandemic.  Officials from my Department are engaging with SAFE Ireland representatives to explore their outline proposal to ensure that appropriate supports are provided to victims of domestic violence to access appropriate accommodation during the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Two constructive meetings have been held to date, with the most recent on 29 May 2020. As part of these discussions, officials in my Department are working with SAFE Ireland with a view of providing a formal framework, which will include input for other State actors, providing guidance on the use of rent supplement to this vulnerable group.  I assure the Deputy that the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme will continue its key role, alongside the various State agencies, supporting victims of domestic violence.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

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