Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, we are committed to doubling the number of refuge spaces, bringing it to over 280. This will be the fastest ever expansion of refuge spaces.

In addition, and by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, the Government will accelerate the number of refuge spaces that can be opened each year.

I can advise the Deputy that Tusla is supporting a process to progress development of a refuge for Co Carlow and that a group of local stakeholders associated with the local domestic violence network, has established the Carlow Refuge Development Advisory Group. This group is an interim, time-bound structure that has come together to undertake some initial scoping and develop options for appraisal about how best to take forward development of the refuge.

The group has had three meetings to date with further meetings scheduled, and independent consultancy has been engaged to work with the group.

The outcome of the work of the Carlow Refuge Development Advisory Group will inform the next steps and the resulting timeline for the development of a refuge.

The process for developing refuges will vary from area to area depending on the configuration of local services and agencies, two key elements are central to progressing with a formal development project:

1. The involvement of a lead organisation with Approved Housing Body (AHB) status, which is a requirement for access to Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) funding through the Department of Housing, and

2. An identified service provider organisation and plan for delivery of services in the new refuge, once completed. If there is not an organisation with capability to deliver these services at the outset, then the plan needs to set out how this capacity can be achieved.

In some instances, a domestic violence service provider organisation may have AHB status and be in a position to demonstrate capacity to operate services or a consortium or partnership arrangement may be required to take forward development of the refuge.

The development of standardised processes and provision of measures to assist with this are part of ongoing work to support the achievement of additional refuge units into the future.

In March I published the General Scheme of a Bill to create a statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing DSGBV.

One of its key responsibilities will be overseeing and supporting the provision of refuge accommodation for victims to help deliver on the commitments I have outlined.

The establishment of the agency will also ensure that there is a permanent structure to help deliver further refuge accommodation over the long term.

To assist with this, the new agency will prepare and publish standards for service provision and governance in respect of the DSGBV services and accommodation.