Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Stephenson for raising this matter. I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the implementation of the zero-tolerance strategy and to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to supporting and protecting victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Since January 2024, Cuan has been leading the co-ordination of Government actions under the strategy. A central commitment is to double domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026. Cuan is working closely with domestic violence services, approved housing bodies, local authorities, the Department of housing and the Housing Agency to achieve this. By the end of 2024, 14 of 18 priority locations had identified suitable sites. Delivery schedules were mapped to ensure progress and new capacity had been delivered, including a 12-unit refuge in Wexford.

At the request of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, Cuan undertook a review in early 2025 and worked with services and partners to assess and review progress and identify a series of actions to accelerate delivery. Following that review, completed in spring 2025, and in line with the commitment given by the Minister, the following targets will be delivered by the end of 2026: 52 new family refuge units; 45 new safe homes; and 50 new units under construction.

In 2022, at the start of the zero-tolerance strategy, there were 49 safe homes in place. By the end of 2026, it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. As part of this expansion, this week, the Minister had the privilege of opening a new nine-unit refuge in Dublin 4, a facility that will provide safe and secure accommodation for survivors at a critical time in their lives. In June, he launched the final implementation plan for the strategy, which focuses on expanding refuge accommodation and developing a comprehensive national emergency domestic violence accommodation plan.

Earlier this week, the Minister secured a funding increase to almost €80 million under budget 2026 to support Cuan and services working to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and the implementation of the strategy. This represents an increase of €11.5 million year on year.

My Department is also examining proposals to develop a policy on removal orders to take offenders out of the home in high-risk cases, subject to legal considerations. Through these combined efforts the Minister and our Department are delivering real progress. The clear message is that domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will not be tolerated.