Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
419. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has conducted any formal review, impact assessment, research exercise, consultation process or policy analysis regarding financial barriers experienced by victims of domestic abuse when attempting to access emergency income supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41149/26]
View answer420. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department maintains any data regarding application refusal rates, processing times, repeat applications or unsuccessful applications involving persons identified as fleeing domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41150/26]
View answer421. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any review has been undertaken regarding the impact of financial coercion or economic control by abusive partners on eligibility for means-tested social protection supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41151/26]
View answer422. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has engaged with domestic violence refuges, women’s aid organisations, local authorities or homelessness organisations regarding barriers faced by victims of domestic abuse in accessing income supports, HAP supports or emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41152/26]
View answer423. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any interdepartmental working group currently exists examining housing insecurity, financial exclusion or homelessness risks among victims of domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41153/26]
View answer424. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Department has undertaken any assessment regarding the adequacy of existing emergency income supports for victims of domestic abuse who are required to leave accommodation immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41154/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 419, 420, 421, 422, 423 and 424 together.
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 the Minister for Justice and other Ministers, 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 already 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.
Building on this initiative, officials in my Department engaged with stakeholders, including Cuan, Women’s Aid, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and SafeIreland to explore options as to how we can best support the travel needs of people fleeing domestic violence. As a result, recently I was delighted to announce a new Travel Supplement protocol for victims of domestic violence. This new supplement came into effect on the 5th of May and ensures that those fleeing domestic violence have the necessary financial support to meet their immediate travel needs.
Mirroring the rent supplement scheme approach, my Department now provides the new travel supplement 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 of the Travel Supplement; subject to the usual means assessment.
In addition to the above, my Department's Community Welfare Service continues to provide access to income supports where urgent additional needs arise, and I would encourage everyone to engage with their local community welfare officer in such circumstances. Data on the numbers availing of these payments, as a result of domestic violence, is not available. For information, in 2025 some 65,170 additional needs payments were made by the Community Welfare Service.
My Department is also working with external stakeholders, including Cuan, SafeIreland, Women’s Aid and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to make information on the range of supports available from my Department more readily accessible for victims. To complement this external awareness-raising, my Officials are working to strengthen internal guidance and staff training to ensure coordinated and sensitive support is provided to those fleeing domestic violence.
Zero Tolerance - The Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (2022–2026), is the key strategy to address the issues involved and sets the changes required both as a whole-of-government and whole-of-society task. Delivery of the strategy’s aims is through phased implementation plans with associated actions. The Department of Justice is the lead Department with regards to the strategy, while Cuan is Ireland’s statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.
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.
Finally, matters relating to housing, housing assistance payment supports, and social housing are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
