Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the interdepartmental group tasked with reviewing the current system for the provision of refuge space and accommodation; the terms of reference of the group; the membership of the group; the number of times that the group has met to date; the details of any interim reports or updates that she has received from the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25991/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, in February, Ministers O’Gorman and I welcomed the publication of the Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

The review identifies priority areas where there is greatest urgency in achieving safe accommodation for victims of domestic violence and we will use the findings of this review to inform how we address gaps in the provision of refuge places.

We all acknowledge the need to dramatically increase the provision of refuges.

While the review says that a minimum of between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed as a priority, further analysis has identified 10 locations nationwide where the delivery of 82 family refuge spaces would have the most impact, if prioritised.

These locations have been chosen, inter alia, on the basis of proximity to an existing refuge and the number of refuge spaces per head of population in densely populated areas.

It is our goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and with the sector to achieve that goal.

At present, the time taken from initiation to the delivery of units can be a number of years.  I want to take actions to shorten that timeframe and, to that end, have established a high level Inter-Departmental Group to review the current system for the provision of refuge spaces and to identify changes that can be made to the system to deliver additional spaces in the shortest timeframe possible.

The Group was convened in February with the following terms of reference:-

1. Critically review the existing model of DSGBV accommodation delivery including design approaches and the capacity of groups to commission.

2. Develop revised model(s) of delivery designed to deliver, in the first instance, the 82 family refuge spaces in the 10 locations identified in the Tusla Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence.

3. Based on the implementation of that model(s), estimate the time it will take to deliver the 82 family refuge spaces; the capital and current costs of doing so; and estimate the number of units that can be delivered during the lifetime of the Third National Strategy.

4. Report to the Minister for Justice by 30 June.

The IDG group are also prioritising Carlow and Offaly for additional refuge accommodation.

The Group is chaired by my Department and has representatives from the following Departments/Agencies:

- Department of the Taoiseach

- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

- Department of Justice

- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

- Tusla.

The Group has met on 5 occasions to date and plans to hold 2 further meetings before it submits its final report to me.

The work of the IDG is at an advanced stage and its deliberations are already feeding into the finalisation of  the implementation arrangements for the forthcoming Third National Strategy.  I look forward to receiving its report next month, and to continuing to address this serious matter as a top priority for the Government.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.