Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

641. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla has completed its strategic review of domestic violence accommodation provision which is intended to inform a plan for the future commissioning of domestic violence accommodation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12776/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy in this area is coordinated by the Department of Justice. Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.

The Tusla review of emergency accommodation nationwide will assess the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. The review's findings and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee of the Second National Strategy on DSGBV will inform Tusla's future decisions on priority areas for investment and development of services.

Substantial progress has been made on a number of processes which contribute to the review. This includes a literature review, consultations with stakeholders, geographical and census data analysis, consultation with service users and policy analysis. Tusla has advised me that the report will be published in Quarter 2 this year.

It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible. I strongly support the work of Tusla and its funded service providers and I am committed to supporting the Agency in meeting the needs of individuals who experience domestic violence.