Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that. Unfortunately, there has always been the issue of domestic violence but, as we will all have seen, it has been one of the very negative highlights of Covid-19. While men are affected too, it primarily affects women. Children have been sneaking out to cars to try to make phone calls, and that is in cases where people may have felt able to reach out. For so long, so many women have been in a difficult place and have been unable to reach out.

The basis of my question was that the increase in funding is welcome. The refuge I deal with most often is Amber women's refuge in Kilkenny, which covers both counties Carlow and Kilkenny. I have always thought it has a high workload covering two full counties. The refuge welcomed the additional funding but there is a fear that it may be withdrawn. I accept that everything changed again yesterday with the announcement of the new restrictions but I hope the money will be ring-fenced.

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