Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)

Domestic violence continues to impact thousands of lives in our communities. The need for support services has never been greater. The Minister recently said that Ireland has a very big problem when it comes to domestic violence. Cases have risen dramatically. In my constituency of Louth, we have seen a 52% increase over five years and nearly 27% of an increase between 2023 and 2024. I welcome the Minister’s announcement of the €3.2 million funding call to expand domestic, gender-based and sexual violence supports and indeed his firm and genuine commitment to continue with the work initiated by his predecessor, Deputy McEntee. This funding will form part of a record €67 million provided for Cuan in budget 2025. It will allow us to target access to trauma-informed care and build long-term safety and resilience for survivors. However, we also need to strengthen trust in the system. It is still shocking when I hear on the radio or read in the press about a victim who has come forward and said they feel let down or not heard by the system. It has brought some comfort to me to listen to the unity in the Chamber today as we call for improved services across the board for these offences.

Women very often feel left alone and isolated. My constituency office is no different from any other in the country and is inundated with calls about how we can help as politicians. A young woman recently came to us who has two young children and at the moment has accommodation in one of the refuges in County Louth. That is the only place she can call home with her two children, both of whom are under two years of age. This is absolutely shocking because while she is there and from the time she can no longer stay there, the man who perpetrated violence against her is sleeping in a comfortable bed in his own home. She is potentially homeless.

As Deputy Ahern said, there is a silent homeless and the silent homeless are these women and children. I urge that we continue to invest in Cuan. I have no doubt in the coming months and maybe years, budget restraints will mean the Minister has to consider very strongly where he puts money and into which services. There cannot be budget restraints or cuts when it comes to tackling the issue of domestic violence. We need to protect our children and we need our children to be educated in order that they can speak out and we can end this brutal cycle.

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