Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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714. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the provision of refuges for victims of domestic abuse in the nine counties that are without one including Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17041/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a central priority for me that the issue of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is tackled. The Zero Tolerance Strategy to address DSGBV published in June 2022, is our most ambitious and is structured around the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination.

One of the overarching goals of the strategy is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and includes an ambitious target to double the number of refuge spaces by the end of 2026.

To accelerate the delivery of additional refuge accommodation year-on-year, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, was established last year. While currently almost three quarters of the population in the State is within 30 minutes of a refuge location, I am aware of the need to improve on this, and to ensure that services are accessible to everyone living in rural areas. Achieving this, including through the completion of a National Services Development Plan, is a core objective of Cuan’s Corporate Plan 2025-2027, which was published at the end of last year.

There were 147 refuge units at the end of 2023, with 12 new units delivered in 2024, including the state-of-the-art refuge in Wexford. In 2025, another 54 units are set to be under construction or due for refurbishment this year, of which 22 are expected to be delivered in Dublin and Louth.

Cuan is responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Strategy and is working in partnership with the local front-line services providers, local authorities, the Department of Housing and the Housing Agency and has streamlined processes in order to accelerate the delivery of domestic violence refuges.

As the Deputy's questions relate to work being carried out by Cuan and data held by Cuan, I have referred them to the Agency for direct response.