Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, who is at the Cabinet meeting.

One of the overarching goals of Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. The strategy, which was published in June 2022, included a commitment to doubling the number of refuge units throughout the country.

This represents the fastest ever expansion of refuge accommodation in this country. Cuan, the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, was established at the beginning of last year and is working in partnership with local front-line services providers, local authorities, the Department of housing and the Housing Agency to streamline processes in order to accelerate the delivery of refuges. There were 147 refuge units across the country at the end of 2023, with 12 new units delivered in 2024, including the state-of-the-art refuge in Wexford. This year a further 54 units are set to be under construction or due for refurbishment. This will bring the total units, including those under construction, to 213 at the end of 2025.

A key priority for the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and Cuan is the development of a domestic violence refuge in the Cavan-Monaghan region. Cavan-Monaghan is identified as a phase 1 priority for refuge development under the zero tolerance strategy. Cuan is working with the key stakeholders, including Safe Ireland, the Department of housing, Cavan and Monaghan county councils and the Housing Agency, to progress the development of an eight-unit refuge in this region. This will include community-facing ancillary support services. Cuan has worked with Safe Ireland to fund and resource a project manager post and a change manager post, in addition to supporting the organisation to form the local partnership needed to drive the project.

Last year, a site selection process for the building of a domestic violence refuge in the Cavan-Monaghan area was started, marking a key step in the delivery of a new domestic violence refuge in the region. In addition to identifying suitable locations for refuge development, the process will focus on identifying potential locations for safe home development, reflecting the strong commitment from all partners to protecting survivors, preventing further victimisation and ensuring they have the stability to rebuild their lives.

I am aware that the Castleblaney area of Monaghan is supported by a number of Cuan’s funded services, including the national 24-hour domestic violence helpline operated by Women’s Aid. Outreach supports are provided to the Castleblaney area by Tearmann Domestic Abuse Service, now operating as Safe Ireland Cavan-Monaghan. The TLC Kidz recovery programme is delivered by Barnardos, which supports children recovering from their experience of domestic violence. Emergency refuge accommodation services are available in Dundalk, County Louth.

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