Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith has once again called on the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration to progress, without delay, the provision of a Refuge Centre in Cavan/Monaghan for victims of domestic abuse.
Minister O’Gorman, in his reply to Deputy Brendan Smith in Dáil Éireann, stated that Tusla is undertaking a review of emergency accommodation nationwide and this will assess the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation.
He added that there are consultations with stakeholders including service users and a report will be published by Tusla in April this year.
Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Unfortunately since early 2020 and with the onset of the Covid pandemic there has been an increase in domestic violence and adequate supports need to be put in place for all families who are experiencing such difficulties.
“At present there is no dedicated Refuge Centre in Cavan or Monaghan and I urge Tusla along with the Department to ensure the provision of such a Centre with additional supports and services at local level,” added Deputy Brendan Smith.
In response to Deputy Smith’s question, Minister O’Gorman stated that he was able to procure €30m for Tusla in Budget 2021, specifically allocated for DSGBV services. This includes core funding of €28m and an additional €2m to assist DSGBV organisations in offsetting the effects of Covid-19 on day-to-day services.
He added that Tusla is also undertaking a review of emergency accommodation nationwide and that the review will inform Tusla’s future decisions on priority areas for investment and development of services. Tusla has advised Minister O’Gorman that the report will be published this April.
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For Written Answer on : 21/01/2021
Question Number(s): 270 Question Reference(s): 3483/21
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth if a refuge centre for victims of domestic abuse will be established in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice. Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. Capital funding for approved housing bodies, including services that provide refuge accommodation for victims of DSGBV, is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I am delighted that I was able to procure €30m for Tusla in Budget 2021, specifically allocated for DSGBV services. This includes core funding of €28m and an additional €2m to assist DSGBV organisations in offsetting the effects of COVID-19 on day-to-day services.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies, which will inform future investments in this area.
Tusla is also undertaking a review of emergency accommodation nationwide. This will assess the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. Substantial progress has been made on a number of processes which contribute to the review, including a literature review, consultations with stakeholders, geographical and census data analysis, consultation with service users and policy analysis.
The review’s findings and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee of the Second National Strategy on DSGBV will inform Tusla’s future decisions on priority areas for investment and development of services. Tusla has advised me that the report will be published this April.
It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible. I strongly support the work of Tusla and its funded service providers and I am committed to supporting the Agency in meeting the needs of individuals who experience domestic violence.
END