Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an update on the provision of refuge spaces to underserved areas under the zero tolerance strategy. [17546/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance Strategy is the establishment of a statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, and I was delighted to establish Cuan at the beginning of the year. Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue, including the provision of accommodation.

The Zero Tolerance 2024 implementation plan commits to producing a strategic plan for the development of safe accommodation for people experiencing domestic violence, covering staying safe at home, emergency accommodation and pathways out of emergency accommodation.

One of the key actions of Zero Tolerance is doubling the number of refuge spaces available during the lifetime of the Strategy, bringing the total to 280. The 2024 plan commits to exploring models for the delivery of domestic violence refuge accommodation and identifying opportunities to accelerate delivery to meet this target.

The 2024 Implementation Plan sets out the following deliverables on refuge spaces by the end of 2024:

• Active planning and engagement to be underway for the delivery of 150 additional family refuge units;
• Delivery of 8 new family refuge units;
• Ensure that 25 additional family refuge units are under construction; and
• Commence the publication of quarterly reports on progress towards doubling the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the Strategy, with an accessible tracking mechanism.

• Actively engaging with Local Authorities across various refuge development locations, spread across the country;
• Identifying suitable and appropriate sites for domestic violence refuge development; and
• Engaging with key stakeholders to explore partnership options for domestic violence refuge development.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an update on the provision of a women’s refuge in County Carlow. [17545/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, one of the key actions of the Third National Strategy is doubling the number of refuge spaces available during the lifetime of the Strategy to 280 refuge spaces.

Prior to the establishment of Cuan on 1 January 2024, a Steering Committee for Inter-Departmental Group proposals was established to manage and oversee progress on the delivery of additional refuge units. This Committee was chaired by the Department of Justice, with representation from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth. This Committee has worked with domestic violence support groups in the priority locations to support their advancement of new refuge developments with funding support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This Committee is now chaired by Cuan. Through this Committee, Cuan and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to assist the development of local structures operating in the priority areas identified in the Third National Strategy and will support their advancement of the new refuges, with capital funding support continuing via the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Cuan also has a dedicated team in place to support the development of domestic violence refuges. This team has been engaging with the local service provider in the areas mentioned and has supported the relevant organisations in terms of capacity and governance.

Cuan has very active engagement with Carlow County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Housing Agency. I am pleased to say that Cuan has identified a domestic violence service provider to progress plans for the development of a refuge in County Carlow. A refuge containing 8 family units of accommodation is planned for the county. Additional supports have been allocated to the service provider to further build their capacity to undertake the operation of a refuge facility, inclusive of ancillary services.