Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me.

Since its establishment last year, Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of refuge spaces across the country.

Following a request from me, 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 following agreement with me, the following will be delivered:

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

At the outset of the zero-tolerance strategy there were 49 safe homes in place. Therefore, 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.

Teach Tearmainn currently leads on the provision of refuge and safe home accommodation for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in County Kildare. Additionally, it provides children’s supports, outreach and court accompaniment services.

Cuan will continue its collaboration with Teach Tearmainn to develop their service provision to support those experiencing or fleeing domestic abuse.

While currently almost three quarters of the population in the State is within 30 minutes of a refuge location, Cuan is acutely aware of the need to improve on this, and to ensure that services are accessible to everyone living in rural and urban 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.