I want to raise the issue of domestic violence. Last week saw the end of the 16 days of activism around the issue. While that is important in order to raise awareness, we need to be aware of it 365 days of the year. It is an issue that occurs more frequently around Christmastime when a lot more drink is consumed.

While prevention needs to be concentrated on, we also need refuges for women who have to escape for their safety. County Cavan is one of nine counties that still do not have a refuge. In fact, several of the counties surrounding Cavan do not have refuges, namely, Monaghan, Leitrim, Longford and then further out to Sligo and Roscommon. There is a glut of counties without a refuge space for domestic violence victims. I had a meeting with a Garda superintendent recently who said one of the biggest issues the Garda had when addressing an issue like this was that gardaí had nowhere to bring a woman and children to if they have to take them out of the house for their own safety. It is often in the middle of the night. They are depending on local hotels or bed and breakfasts to facilitate them. For an already traumatised family, trying to negotiate rooms in the foyer of a hotel is not appropriate.

I am speaking to both the councils in counties Cavan and Monaghan. In Monaghan, a site has been identified and a purpose-built refuge will be built. It is a few years away, but the funding has been allocated to it. In both counties, safe houses have been identified, hopefully for next year on. While people in Cavan County Council, working with Safe Ireland, are looking to identify a site in Cavan, the funding has not actually been allocated yet. I want to ensure that funding is allocated so that, when a suitable site is found, the funding is available to proceed as quickly as possible. The numbers are high, according to the statistics. While we hear more on the news about fatalities, unfortunately, it is an ongoing issue for many people. Many women are forced to stay in relationships because they have nowhere to go. The refuge would offer them that space to get out of there and try to negotiate the next part of their lives, which takes some time to do.

It is a huge issue in the North. It is something we should be co-operating on across the Border because perpetrators of domestic violence do not recognise the Border. Supports to help families experiencing this should not recognise the Border either. It is something we should work in collaboration with the North on. If somebody requires a refuge space, it should not matter which county they are in. They should be able to access one where it is available regardless of whether it is North or South.

Hear, hear.