Written answers
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Domestic Violence
Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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613. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current situation around infrastructure to combat domestic violence in the State, including by providing the current number of emergency refuge spaces for victims of domestic violence; the shortfall between this level and the level that would allow Ireland to meet its obligations under the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37156/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice.
The Zero Tolerance Strategy to address DSGBV is 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 this Strategy is ensuring that everyone who needs a safe space can access one.
Cuan, the DSGBV agency, has been operational since January 2024, and is responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Zero Tolerance strategy.
It works in partnership with the local front-line service providers, local authorities, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Housing Agency and has streamlined processes in order to accelerate the delivery of domestic violence refuges.
I would like to assure the Deputy that we continue to review and drive progress on the development of refuge accommodation.
As the Deputy's question relates to infrastructure to combat domestic violence and the current number of emergency safe spaces, as well as additional data under the remit of Cuan, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.
Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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614. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to estimate the capital cost of meeting Ireland’s obligations on refuge space as agreed under the Istanbul Convention (i.e., through building refuges) and the additional annual current spending necessary to operationalise the additional spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37157/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Combatting all forms of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice.
The Zero Tolerance Strategy to address DSGBV is 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 this Strategy is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space can access one.
Cuan, the DSGBV agency, has been operational since January 2024, and is responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Zero Tolerance strategy.
Cuan works in partnership with the local front-line service providers, local authorities, the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and the Housing Agency and has streamlined processes in order to accelerate the delivery of domestic violence refuges.
I am advised that the capital costs of constructing domestic violence refuges are funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
To be of assistance, I contacted that Department. They have advised that the current average capital cost of providing one family refuge unit of domestic violence refuge accommodation and ancillary facilities in a purpose built domestic violence refuge, is €583,000.
It should be noted that one 12 unit refuge, in Wexford, has been completed and a final account budget agreed. A further 92 units across 7 priority areas are at various stages of the pre-construction or construction process and current approved budgets have been used to calculate this average figure.
As part of the Deputy's question relates to the cost of running a refuge, which falls within the remit of Cuan, I have referred this aspect of the question to the agency for direct response.
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