424. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the advice provided to his Department from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, concerning funding being made available to keep open the women and children's refuge at Cuan Álainn, Cookstown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18109/15]

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is aware that Cuan Álainn offers sheltered housing to women and families suffering from domestic violence.

Tusla endorses the use of second-stage refuge and supported accommodation to enable people to move on from emergency accommodation and this is the direction that Tusla intends to pursue in the future. At present, Tusla funding for domestic violence is targeted at emergency refuge accommodation services and community-based domestic violence supports.

Tusla has met recently with senior management from the Centre and has advised that it is not in a position in 2015 to provide funding to this service. The position will be kept under review by Tusla.