Taoiseach urges co-operation on domestic violence refuge for region

SOLUTION Local authority and Tearmann should put interim proposal forward - Martin

The Taoiseach says the local County Council should engage with the Tearmann service and provide a domestic violence refuge.

There have long been calls for such a facility in the region as people fleeing domestic violence currently must travel to other counties to find refuge accommodation.

The Tearmann Domestic Violence Service works to secure accommodation for those in need but no dedicated refuge is available in Cavan or Monaghan.

Asked about plans to provide funding for such a centre locally by local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the local authority and Tearmann should work together on an “interim solution”.

“My view would be that if the county council, for example Cavan County Council, and Tearmann services could combine and approach the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a view to providing such a centre, these are the interim approaches we have to take while the strategy outlines the more medium term.”

The Taoiseach also said any such move would gain the support of the Government: “I think we would be forthcoming in responding to the county council working with the local service provider there to accelerate the provision of a centre.”

The comments follow those of the Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman, recently where he said he expects a report examining domestic violence refuge services across the country to be published shortly.

He acknowledged a lack of services in some parts of the country but said he would be guided by the outcome of the review:

“I am very keen to see the gap in geographic coverage in counties Cavan and Monaghan being addressed.

“I hope to see the accommodation review used as the vehicle to make progress and address that gap,” concluded the Minister.