Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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166. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are currently any plans to fund a new domestic violence refuge in the area of County Louth and east County Meath to help deal with the significant pressures on the current services provided in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56910/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance policy to address Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and those working in the sector to achieve this.

In line with the priority which this government is attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280.

The Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence identified priority locations where between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed.

Further analysis undertaken identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of 98 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.

In the initial phase of this work, we expect to have delivered 24 places in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by 2024. The delivery of additional safe homes is also a key part of the response and it is expected to increase the number of safe homes by 15 this year.

In addition, by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation now, including the development of a new statutory agency, we will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be opened each year.

Already, work undertaken implementing the Strategy has prepared the way for this, including a very significant increase in funding under Budget 2023.

I have secured funding of €9m in budget 2023 to address the response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, of which €6.8m will be allocated through Tusla to maintain and develop frontline services for victims. Funding for measures to bring domestic violence refuges and associated support services into operation at the earliest possible date has been identified as a priority within these resources, with a particular focus on the developments in Louth, Meath and Wexford.

An interdepartmental group is developing and progressing agreed processes and approaches to ensure we have the highest standard of refuge accommodation, delivered in the most efficient way.

This has already resulted in a streamlined process for capital funding applications for new refuges.

Supports for applicant groups from the Housing Agency in relation to public procurement processes and direct engagement between Department of Housing Architectural Advisors and the Design Teams recruited by the applicant groups are also in place.

Over the past two years I have had the privilege to visit a number of refuges around the country to see first-hand the fantastic work that is being done.

I am determined that the implementation of the Strategy will bring us significantly closer to reaching our targets as set out in the Istanbul Convention, and ensure that organisations providing these vital services to victims are supported in doing so.

Since launching Zero Tolerance in June, the tendering process for the new refuge in Wexford has moved to the final stage of completion.

Developments in Navan and Dundalk are continuing to make progress at design and planning stages, while developments in the other priority locations are mainly focused on establishing local stakeholders and lead organisations and on site selection.