Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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787. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refuge spaces in the years 2019 to date; the number of refuge spaces per county in the years 2019 to date; the number of refuge-space closures in the corresponding timeframe, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2282/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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One of the overarching goals of Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, published in June 2022, is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and the Strategy included a commitment to doubling the number of refuge units across the country. This represents the fastest ever expansion of refuge accommodation in this country.To accelerate the delivery of additional refuge accommodation year on year, Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency, was established in 2024. Cuan is working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Housing Agency, to put in place the necessary structures and supports for organisations to further develop refuge accommodation.

In 2025, Cuan expects 22 new units to be delivered in Dublin and Louth, with a further 49 units due to be under construction or due for refurbishment in 2025. This is in addition to the 12 new units delivered in 2024, including the state-of-the-art new refuge in Wexford. This will bring the total amount of new units delivered and under construction to 230 by the end of 2025. This is from a starting point of 140 at the outset of the strategy.

Cuan is now responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Strategy and has a dedicated team in place to support the development of domestic violence refuges. As this question relates to work being carried out by Cuan and data held by Cuan, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.