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

As women, we sometimes look at the movies and the media or society that focuses on marital or romantic relationships as the only support. The focus should be on friendship and social interaction which can provide us with support when we need it. Everybody needs a good friend and I am so lucky to be surrounded by strong women in Leinster House. It is the same in County Carlow. I have a lot of women who inspire me every day.

Today, for example, a new women's centre, the only one in Ireland, was opened by my good friend, Ms Annette Fox, from Carlow County Development Partnership. This centre in Carlow is where new friendships and support will thrive. It is a centre for women to learn, create, chat, train and be their best selves. It is so important today we recognise Carlow is the only place that has this women's centre. I did not hear others speak about that. I am very disappointed.

I always say everyone needs to work together. As women today, on International Women's Day, and every day, we need to work together to look out for each other, support each other and hold each other up. I join Selena Gomez in saying we should be kinder in everything we do, in real life and online, in work and in our free time.

Today, I also joined the South East Technological University Carlow students to talk about women facing challenges in political life to mark International Women's Day. I also joined the Carlow local enterprise office and its green panel with women and men from all over the south east. I also spoke to those working hard to secure a women's refuge for Carlow. Even KCLR covered the Carlow women's centre today. Carlow Women's Aid was interviewed and said it was very happy with the progress that was being made with the refuge for Carlow. That is important. Carlow's Women's Aid is very happy. As the Members all know, this is a passion project of mine and something I have been working on with very dedicated people. We have worked very hard on this.

It needs to be highlighted that Carlow County Council with Focus Ireland and Carlow's Women's Aid has four safe houses operational right now as family units for short-term temporary support accommodation. The units are available to families escaping domestic violence or families who are very vulnerable. This is part of the progress we have made. They also recently commenced eight own-front-door units purchased through the capital assistance scheme, CAS, by Kilkenny Voluntary Housing Association. These units will be available to families on a short-term basis and I thank the local authority and the committee for this valuable work that is being done.

A women's refuge is vital for Carlow and we have plans for 2023 already. We have had two meetings with the Department. We have had several meetings with Tusla and the stakeholders for domestic violence provision. An advisory group like a task force has been set up. Tusla has appointed an external consultant for Carlow. I have suggested a site. Stakeholders have been working on a framework for development and a series of meetings are planned for the next few weeks. There is a lot of work being done for Carlow's women's refuge. That is so important.

This summer, we will have a firm plan to bring a refuge to Carlow. This plan is vital. We are not talking about a building but about the wraparound services. This is what is being done. Already, we have the wraparound services, Carlow's Women's Aid, Amber, Focus Ireland, the Kilkenny Voluntary Housing Association, the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána, Barnardos and family resource centres, including St. Catherine's.

No vulnerable family in Carlow should ever not feel supported, whether it is through Carlow County Council or any services. My door is always open.

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