On average, eight women every day are turned away when they seek a space in a refuge. Meanwhile, demand for services has increased by up to 200% during the pandemic. I do not know if the Taoiseach saw RTÉ's "Prime Time Investigates" report last night, but it is harrowing what these women and children have to go through. The Social Democrats have consistently called for the number of refuge spaces to be increased to the level recommended by the Istanbul Convention. It is welcome that the Government has finally come to the realisation that there is a need to provide those spaces. We are wondering when exactly that increase in the number of spaces will be provided for women and children. It is an especially critical question for those nine counties that do not have a single space currently.

I did see that programme last evening. I thought it was powerful in revealing the horror and brutality of domestic violence. The programme’s power was that it allowed the victims to speak and speak truthfully about the manner of their experiences. It was the most effective way as a medium to bring home to us the enormous suffering that people have endured. The report covered the criminal justice system in the context of the victim’s journey and how unsatisfactory for some victims that turns out to be.

On refuges and the number of spaces, in the interim the Minister is bringing forward a strategy. As well however, as was discussed with the party leaders last week, the audit will be brought forward. In the interim, however, we must do everything we possibly can to provide more places. We must work with the local authorities in those areas to seek to ensure places are put in place more quickly than otherwise would be the case.

Those nine counties will get refuge spaces.

The time is up. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.