THE Women’s Refuge is in talks with the Policy Council about the work it does, according to Mary Lowe.

But when asked whether the charity would undergo an inspection as the domestic abuse strategy had been given the go-ahead, she declined to comment.

Deputy Lowe (pictured), the chairman of the refuge’s board, said it had never refused entry to staff from Health and Social Services.

‘They have visited us twice in 11 years.’

The department is currently considering legislation to force the refuge to open its doors for a full, independent review.

The States-subsidised, charity-run organisation has said it does not want an independent inspection, but HSSD board member Barry Brehaut said it was necessary to ensure there was no duplication.

Deputy Lowe said she was delighted the strategy had been granted £100,000 to get it started.

‘It is a good step forward which will add on to work that is already being done.’

In a somewhat contradictory statement she said the only way the strategy could be taken forward was to ensure value for money and that services were not duplicated.

She pointed out that chairman of the social policy group HSSD minister Deputy Hunter Adam had said in last week’s States meeting, that even if the strategy had all the money it needed, it would still need to wait to see where it would be best spent.