The District Court waiting times for domestic violence victims, as published by the Irish Examiner today, paint a shocking picture for victims of domestic abuse and coercive control. Of the eight courts with the longest waiting times, six have no refuge or safe accommodation provision in their counties.

The Government speaks about an epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence but there is no urgency in its actions. We welcomed the third strategy but publishing a document alone will not prevent abuse or protect victims. We cannot wait for the establishment of the new agency to address the absence of safe accommodation in nine counties. Courts cannot prevent abuse if they do not have judges to hear the domestic violence cases. When will the heads of Bill for the new agency be published? Will safe accommodation be delivered this year for the counties currently without any refuge provision?

I do not have a date for the publication of the Bill, but it is a priority to ensure courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively. The Minister for Justice is optimistic that both the implementation of the working group report and the commitment by the Courts Service in its strategic plan for 2021 to 2023 to maximise the use of digital technologies to provide a more efficient and user-centred service, will lead to improved efficiencies and shorter waiting times.