LAST UPDATE | 16 Feb 2022
A REVIEW ON the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic violence has highlighted gaps in geographical coverage of refuges and inadequate safe accommodation to meet the country’s needs
The review, which was carried out by Tusla, was welcomed by the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and the Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman after it was published today.
The Ministers acknowledged the need to dramatically increase the provision of refuges.
Minister McEntee has said the “ultimate goal” for domestic violence policy is to have a bed for anyone who needs to flee their home.
McEntee said the long-term plan is to ensure every county across the country has refuge spaces for domestic violence victims.
The review says that a minimum of between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed as a priority.
The Istanbul Convention says there should be one family place for every 10,000 of population, which means Ireland needs 476 family refuge places.
Based on this figure, Ireland provides less than 30%.
The review found that if Ireland reached 70%, an additional 198 family places would be needed.
To achieve 100%, a further 335 family places would be required.
Further analysis identified 10 locations around the country where the delivery of 82 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.
The locations were chosen on the basis of required proximity to a refuge, as well as a need for refuge spaces per population in densely populated areas.
They represent areas where there is the most significant under-provision.
Here is a breakdown of the locations:
The timeline for delivery of these places, as well as other targets for refuge accommodation, will be outlined by Minister McEntee as part of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence and accompanying action plans, which is due to be published in April.
The Minister updated those working in the sector on the third national strategy today and a wider public consultation will be launched tomorrow.
A new statutory agency is set to be established to oversee the government’s response to the report’s recommendation.
The Department of Justice is assuming responsibility for the provision of domestic, sexual and gender based violence services, such as the provision of refuges.
This is currently the responsibility of the Department of Children, but will transfer to the Minister for Justice shortly.
Not every county has refuge accommodation for those fleeing domestic violence.
Data shows that 1,134 women and 2,918 children were accommodated in 2019.
The average length of stay was 34 days, with 40% of stays lasting three to six weeks and 80% less than six weeks.
In 2019, 4,381 enquiries about availability of a refuge place did not lead to a bed space, and almost two-thirds of these were because of a lack of available or suitable places, according to Tusla.
The review said the demand represents only the visible aspect need.
McEntee said: “My commitment is that anyone who needs a space or a bed or accommodation or safe refuge will get that.
“The target for the Istanbul Convention based on our population and based on one per 10,000 of the population is 476.
“With time that may change. What I’d like to do is introduce new measures which don’t just focus on providing that safe space but ensuring that people can remain in their home, that in the most instance women and children can remain in their home where they are victims of domestic sexual and gender-based violence.
“The targets are clear though in the short term – we have 82 units spread across a number of counties.
“The medium-term objective is 70% of the population will be within 30 minutes of refuge. We have to make sure that we engage with local authorities, with agencies, with frontline workers in counties Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Offaly and Carlow.
“So the longer-term objective then is making sure that we have every county, every area covered.”
McEntee said an interim group has been established, made up of officials from the Department of Justice, Department of Children, Tusla, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Department of Housing.
“That is to make sure that we can develop a system that enables these resources and these refuges to be developed as quickly as possible,” she added.
“But I’m very clear it’s not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the services that are to be provided.”
Additional reporting from Press Association
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