283. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available through his Department for victims of domestic violence; the number of recipients of these supports in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53929/26]

Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for the Government.  Establishing a zero-tolerance approach to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence is essential for safeguarding individuals and promoting a safer society.  The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments in this regard.  While many of the Programme for Government commitments fall within the remit of other Departments, this is an issue that requires a whole of Government approach.  For that reason, the Programme for Government included a commitment to “examine how the social protection system can better support people fleeing domestic violence.”

My department has provisions in place to support the immediate accommodation needs of persons fleeing domestic violence, through the Rent Supplement Scheme.  In such circumstances the Rent Supplement means test does not apply for an initial three-month period.  Access to this support is instead via a fast-track approval process to assist with immediate accommodation needs.

Since its introduction in August 2020, 494 customers have availed of support through the Rent Supplement protocol, with the number of claims awarded by year up to the end of June 2026 provided in Table 1 below.

I have also introduced a new Travel Supplement protocol for victims of domestic violence, which came into effect on the 5th of May this year.  This protocol ensures that those fleeing domestic violence have the necessary financial support to meet their immediate travel needs.

Mirroring the Rent Supplement scheme approach, the new Travel Supplement is available to those fleeing domestic violence without the need for a means test during the first three months.  After the first three months have passed, a person may be provided with a further three-month extension; subject to the usual means assessment.  There are 30 claims now in payment under the Travel Supplement protocol.

In addition to the above, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.  Additional Needs Payments are made through my Department's Community Welfare Service and I would encourage any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to engage with their local Community Welfare Officer.

Officials in my Department are engaging with officials in Cuan and the Department of Justice in the development of the successor Fourth National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.  This will include a consideration of how our social protection system can further support people fleeing domestic violence, based on further consultation with stakeholders on the challenges faced by victims and a consideration of learnings from other jurisdictions.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Table 1 – Total number of Rent Supplement claims awarded under the Domestic Violence protocol by year, from August 2020 to end of June 2026.