Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today marks the last day of a 16-day campaign highlighting domestic abuse and violence and is an appropriate time to reflect on the plans of the Department of Justice in this area. Evidence shows that women, children, migrants, refugees, people with disabilities and the elderly have been hit hardest by the pandemic and this has been compounded by a widespread increase in domestic violence. A core issue of concern is unreported incidents of domestic violence.

There has been a 25% increase in reports of domestic abuse in Carlow which is worrying and frightening. While I welcome the introduction of a resource officer and outreach from Amber Kilkenny Womens Refuge Project, which does great work, I must ask again about a women's refuge for Carlow. This is an enormous issue for me. Carlow should have its own refuge and I have been fighting for this for a long time. We also need to look at the issue of housing and how to provide emergency housing for women in domestic violence situations.

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