Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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126. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of domestic abuse refuge spaces in the State; his target for the delivery of additional refuge spaces by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12811/25]

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I congratulate the Minister on his new post. Will the Minister outline the current capacity of domestic violence refuge spaces and his intentions to increase this to an adequate standard?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Bennett. I welcome the fact that she has asked me a question related to domestic and gender-based violence. It is an extremely important issue. My predecessor did much excellent work in that area. It is an area that I am committed to working on as well. The Deputy will be aware that there have been a number of developments in Ireland in recent years in respect of combating domestic violence, for instance, a key priority for me and for Cuan is the development of domestic violence refuges throughout the country but in particular in the Cavan and Monaghan region. 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 the region which will also 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 that is needed to drive the project. Last November we welcomed the start of a site selection process for this refuge. That process is ongoing. Developments will also include safe home accommodation as both I and Cuan are aware of the need for services to be accessible to those living in rural areas.

It is important to point out that Cuan has been providing funding to Safe Ireland in Cavan and Monaghan. Last year funding of more than €230,000 was provided to Safe Ireland in Cavan and Monaghan, which operates a support service delivery, delivering advocacy, accompaniment, outreach support and information regarding options. In Monaghan, the Castleblayney area is supported by a number of Cuan's funded services, including the national 24-hour domestic violence helpline, which is operated by Women's Aid. In addition, emergency refuge accommodation services are available in the neighbouring town of Dundalk. Part 8 planning permission has been granted for the development of a new domestic violence shelter in Dundalk, comprising 16 units and six replacement units.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I am delighted to hear that the Minister is committed. I hope he will be able to make the necessary changes. The Government delivered seven spaces by the end of 2023. It delivered 12 in 2024. The language I have heard the Minister use referring to 54 units under construction, or due for refurbishment this year, suggests to me a net increase of less than 54. In the best case scenario that would mean he plans to deliver nearly 70 next year.

However, it is also the case that this target seems ambitious only in terms of how low the bar has been set. The Istanbul Convention suggests Ireland should have in excess of 500 spaces. Is the Minister confident in meeting the 2026 target? Does he accept that it must be an interim target?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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We should look at where we are. At present, we have approximately 159 refuge units. As I said, another 54 are set to be either under construction or are due for refurbishment in 2025. This will bring the total number of units, including those under construction, to 213 by the end of the year.

In addition to the development of refuge spaces, Cuan and I are committed to delivering additional safe homes which provide appropriate accommodation in certain circumstances. Cuan is concluding a review of domestic violence accommodation delivery and development and is working closely with my Department and the Department of housing to look at what measures need to be accelerated in order to meet the target by the end of the strategy.

We are seeking ways to streamline processes and speed up delivery of domestic violence accommodation. The target is 280. That is the ambition. I hope to be able to meet it. I am committed to trying to meet it. Obviously, we are doing as much as we can to ensure that we can get there.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I again put it to the Minister that 280 is well below the 500 needed under the Istanbul Convention. A number of weeks ago, I sought a Dáil debate on the provision of these services in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. The Minister will be familiar with the fact that the people in our community are among those without any refuge spaces at all. It is a deep concern that the current ambition of the Government is that the people of both counties will continue to go without. This arises directly as a result of not only the Government's lack of delivery but also the Minister's lack of ambition. The Minister has set an inadequate target. As a result, the people in Cavan and Monaghan will bear the brunt of inadequate capacity. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan is the responsible Minister. Will he commit to opening a refuge in Cavan and another in Monaghan?

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We need to be clear. The previous Minister for Justice committed to ensuring that there would be at least one refuge in every county. In January, Cuan confirmed to me what the Minister has repeated here, namely that rather than delivering one refuge in both Cavan and Monaghan, the plan has changed to one centre between the two counties. That is not good enough, particularly when we consider the circumstances that would lead somebody needing to enter a domestic violence refuge. If a person lives in Carrickmacross and the centre is in Belturbet, the distance between the two is 67 km. That is further than the distance from this House to Navan. That is not acceptable, particularly in view of the disruption that is arises in the context of school life. The two counties we are talking about have virtually no interconnectivity in terms of public transport. This must be taken into consideration in light of, as I say, the emergency situations in which people may find themselves. Will the Minister revert to the commitment given by his predecessor not to deliver a centre for between Cavan and Monaghan, which is taking far too long, but, rather, to deliver one for Cavan and one for Monaghan? The latter is the minimum that is required.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My priority is to get a domestic violence refuge for the Cavan and Monaghan region as quickly as possible. The Deputy is looking for two. We need to get one in there, I would have thought, immediately and promptly. That is what I am working on. As stated, a lot of work is being done with key stakeholders in terms of progressing the development of an eight-unit refuge for the region that would include community-facing ancillary support services. I am committing to putting one refuge in the region.

I note what Deputy Bennett said about the Istanbul Convention. I would be interested in discovering what is the level of compliance with the requirements of the Istanbul Convention in other countries. I would be surprised if they were all in compliance.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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So, because they do not do it, we do not do it either.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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We are trying to do it. We have a target of getting up to 280. That is the target I am seeking to achieve. I understand the concerns of Deputies Bennett and Carthy regarding the fact that there is not a refuge centre in Cavan-Monaghan. The Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, has spoken to me about this. Deputy Brendan Smith has done so as well. This is something I want to expedite. I want to ensure that there is one there.

Once we get one in the region, the Deputy can start advocating for others. However, I cannot give her a commitment at present that there will be one in each country. I need to get one into the region.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The commitment was already given.