Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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543. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in providing a refuge centre in counties Cavan and Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29698/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A key goal of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV), is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and Government has committed to working with the sector to double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy.

As the Deputy is aware, prior to the establishment of Cuan, an Inter-Departmental Group was set up to manage and oversee progress on the delivery of additional refuge units. This Committee was initially 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. It is now chaired by Cuan.

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.

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.

As accommodation for victims of DSGBV falls under the remit of Cuan, I am referring this question to them for direct answer.