Written answers

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Domestic Violence

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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321. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a refuge centre for victims of domestic abuse will be established in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2022; the progress to date in reviewing emergency accommodation nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49035/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I appreciate the Deputy's concern in relation to this issue and I am aware that he has engaged with my Department on this matter on numerous occasions.

At present, I am not in a position to confirm if a refuge centre for domestic abuse victims will be established in counties Cavan or Monaghan in 2022. I am informed that supports for victims in counties Cavan and Monaghan are available through the services of Tearmann, which is based in Monaghan and funded by the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. Tearmann also provides outreach services in several locations in both counties. While there is no purpose-built refuge facility in these counties at present, women can avail of emergency domestic violence accommodation in Counties Louth and Meath, where there are currently three refuges supported by Tusla. I am advised by Tusla that it has had some engagement with various local stakeholders about potential future refuge developments.

Tusla’s ‘Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence’ has been completed and is undergoing final edits before publication. Minister Naughton in the Department of Justice and I received a presentation of the Review from Tusla in late July in relation to the approach taken in its review, its analysis and conclusion. On 23rd September, Tusla gave a presentation to all stakeholders attending the Monitoring Committee for the 2nd National Strategy on DSGBV, with a view to achieving a national consensus within the sector on the proposed response to these needs. I anticipate publication of the review in the coming weeks.

The Review assesses the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation and has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities. The development of additional refuge places will require strong engagement across Government and with key stakeholders. The National Development Plan published this week confirms this Government's commitment to address the need for greater domestic violence refuge accommodation to meet the needs of victims throughout the country.

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