Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1816. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection with reference to the programme for Government’s commitment to ‘examine how the social protection system can better support people fleeing domestic violence’ to outline the achievements to date to support victims of domestic violence and future plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42129/25]

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1818. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to the introduction of a dedicated 'safe fund', similar to the fleeing fund in the UK, to provide immediate (non means tested) financial assistance to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence who need to leave abusive situations; if this measure can be considered as part of Budget 2026 to ensure that victims have access to emergency cash payments for essential items such as clothing, food, transport or temporary accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42131/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1816 and 1818 together.

Tackling the epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a major priority for the Government. The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments in this regard. Establishing a zero-tolerance approach to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence is vital for safeguarding individuals and promoting a safer society.

My Department already has provisions in place in the Rent Supplement Scheme to assist those fleeing domestic violence. In such circumstances the standard Rent Supplement means test does not apply for an initial three-month period. Access to this support is instead via a fast-track approval process to assist with immediate accommodation needs.

While many of the Programme for Government commitments fall within the remit the Minister for Justice and other Ministers, this is an issue that requires a whole of Government approach. For that reason, the Programme for Government included a commitment to “examine how the social protection system can better support people fleeing domestic violence.” My Department will progress this work to see how we can better support victims of domestic violence, and will take on board lessons from other jurisdictions.

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1817. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the numbers of recipients of the domestic violence rent supplement since it was introduced in 2020, in tabular form; the learnings from the first five years of the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42130/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.

In August 2020 my department agreed a protocol with Tusla to make Rent Supplement more accessible to victims of domestic violence. This protocol was initially introduced on a pilot basis in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A review of the measure was conducted after twelve months of operation, informing the decision to make the protocol a permanent feature of the Rent Supplement scheme. Since November 2021, victims of domestic violence are granted easier access to Rent Supplement on a permanent basis, recognising that the underlying rationale for this support is required.

The key learning from the first five years of the payment is that the protocol agreed between Tusla and the Department of Social Protection works effectively. The protocol provides for fast-track approval and a screening process with a simplified means test, resulting in immediate access to Rent Supplement for domestic violence victims. It provides targeted support, working to ensure that domestic violence victims are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.

As of end June 2025 34 Rent Supplement claims have been awarded under the protocol.

In the period since August 2020 to end of June 2025, 429 victims of domestic violence have been supported with Rent Supplement under the protocol.

Table 1 shows the total number of Rent Supplement claims awarded under the Domestic Violence protocol by year, from August 2020 to end of June 2025.

Table 1 – Total number of Rent Supplement claims awarded under the Domestic Violence protocol by year, from August 2020 to end of June 2025