Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I raise the proposed closure of a vital service in my local area of Dundalk. Women's Aid proposes to close its Dundalk centre in June due to financial constraints. If the closure goes ahead, the Louth, Cavan and Monaghan region will be operating at 57% below the Council of Europe's recommended level of refuge provision, which is extremely serious. I met representatives from Women's Aid to discuss the announcement and assure the organisation of my full support. Over the last number of years, funding for the service has been reduced dramatically. It is an issue I have raised over the course of the past year as the closure has been contemplated. In speaking with representatives of the service, I am certain the proposed closure is a last resort. Everyone who works in Women's Aid in Dundalk has done his or her best to avoid this outcome but cannot continue to provide the level of provision if there is a massive cut to the funding.

I sent a letter to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, on the issue in July 2013 and raised it on the Adjournment. I have written to the Minister again to seek an urgent meeting. It is very difficult for many women and children to leave domestic abuse situations. It takes tremendous courage to seek aid. When a service such as Women's Aid in Dundalk closes, there is one less refuge where those women and children could be cared for and made safe. The funding of this service is an incredibly urgent issue and I call for a debate on it. I ask that the Minister, Deputy Hogan, come to the House to address it.