Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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49. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional refuge units delivered to-date under the zero tolerance strategy; the locations of same; to provide an update on the delivery of the promised refuge units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54231/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am deeply committed under the Zero Tolerance Strategy, to expanding and improving refuge provision so that every victim of domestic violence has access to safety and support when they need it.

Delivering additional refuge units is a priority for Government and is being progressed through Cuan, the statutory agency dedicated to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. Cuan has a key function to coordinate delivery of the capital programme to increase safe accommodation capacity. A capital programme of this scale to deliver safe accommodation is unprecedented in Ireland.

Cuan is working closely with Domestic Violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Department of Housing and the Housing Agency to coordinate local actions and to support local services with delivery. By the end of 2024, almost all (14/18) priority locations had identified a site. Estimated delivery timelines were worked through for all priority locations. At that point, new capacity had also been delivered, including a 12-unit refuge in Wexford. I am pleased to report that work on developing a new nine-unit refuge in Dublin city is now complete, and I officially opened that refuge yesterday.

Following my request, Cuan worked with services and partners to assess and review progress and identify a series of actions to accelerate delivery and to bring safe accommodation on stream as quickly as possible to meet the needs of those fleeing violence.

On foot of this review, completed in spring 2025, and in line with my commitment, the following will be delivered:

• 52 new family refuge units by the end of 2026;
• 45 new safe homes by the end of 2026; and
• 50 new units under construction by the end of 2026.