Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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588. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the provision of a women's refuge centre in Carlow; the immediate supports that will be provided to women seeking refuge in Carlow given the latest report released by An Garda Síochána, which showed that half of all murders in Ireland in 2021 were linked to domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49608/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It is my intention that every person who needs a refuge space will have access to one. I fully acknowledge the need for a significant increase in the provision of refuge spaces and I am committed to achieving this in order to ensure that victims have a safe place when they need it.

In June, I brought to Government Zero Tolerance: the Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based violence. The Strategy has a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. As part of this it contains actions for nationwide delivery of refuge accommodation.

The Strategy commits to the delivery of additional refuge spaces nationally and aims to address the current shortfall, double the number of refuge spaces in the medium term, and meet the targets set out in the Istanbul Convention in the longer term. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces. By the end of the strategy we aim to have over 280 refuge spaces, and we will also work to deliver additional safe homes as a key part of this.

As the Deputy will be aware, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency completed a review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence which identified a number of priority locations where there is a particular urgency. It is my intention to use the findings of this review as one of the ways to address gaps in the provision of refuge places.

A key recommendation of the Tusla review is to provide more safe accommodation with a focus on short-term safe ‘emergency’ accommodation. Further analysis, as well as the work of an Inter-Departmental Group on the provision of domestic violence accommodation, has identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of additional family refuge spaces would have the most impact, if prioritised.

These locations represent areas where there is the most significant under-provision and are a starting point to increasing refuge spaces comprehensively across the country.

The 12 priority locations nationwide identified include Carlow, where eight family places are suggested as a potential refuge size requirement.

As part of the work to implement the Third National Strategy, my Department will advance the recommendations made in the Tusla review to improve how effectively, we deliver refuge spaces.

A practical approach will be taken to achieve targets as many factors can influence the speed at which a project is delivered such as, the identification of a suitable site or building, planning processes, tendering processes, appointment of contractors, etc. The areas identified are a priority for the development of refuge accommodation and every effort will be made to ensure this happens as speedily as possible while ensuring a high standard of quality.

The strategy contains actions for doing so both in the immediate and longer term and commits to the delivery of 24 refuge places currently underway in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by 2024 with all units in priority locations delivered by the end of the strategy in 2026.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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589. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline her proposed spending plans for the €9 million additional investment in domestic, sexual and gender-based violence response awarded to her Department in budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49664/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under Budget 2023 I have secured an additional €9m, which represents a 22% increase, for combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence. This record level of funding will also support the implementation of Zero Tolerance, our Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, which I launched in late June.

This additional €9 million includes increased funding of €7m for organisations funded by TUSLA to address acute demands in existing services throughout the country, and for investment in new services as outlined in the Third National Strategy.

This funding also strengthens the nationwide supports and services for victims of crime (€920,000), provides for targeted awareness raising campaigns (€750,000) and for work to establish the new DSGBV statutory agency (€450,000) which will become operational in January 2024.