Minister prioritises regional DV refuge

Sinn Féin TD, Cathy Bennett, poses question in the Dáil.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has set as a “priority” the establishment of a domestic abuse refuge in Cavan and Monaghan.

“My priority is to get a domestic violence refuge for the Cavan and Monaghan region as quickly as possible,” he said, responding to questions in the Dáil last week from local Sinn Féin TD, Cathy Bennett.

She was calling for two new refuges to be opened - one in each county- but the minister responded: “We need to get one in there, I would have thought, immediately and promptly.

“That is what I am working on,” he told Deputy Bennett.

In his reply, Minister O'Callaghan suggested a “lot of work is being done” with key stakeholders behind the scenes in terms of progressing the development of a new eight-unit refuge for the region- one that would also link in with community-facing ancillary support services.

Cuan, the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, is currently working with key stakeholders including Safe Ireland, the Department of Housing, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and the Housing Agency to progress the project.

Progress

Funding for a project manager and a change manager post has been secured, and last November the process of identifying a suitable site began.

That process is “ongoing”.

“I am committing to putting one refuge in the region,” he stated in response to Deputy Bennett, who pressed the government front-bencher on the number of refuge spaces delivered in recent years.

There are approximately 159 refuge units in Ireland with another 54 either under construction or due for refurbishment in 2025.

It represents a significant increase on the numbers delivered in 2023 (7) and 2024 (12). The target is 280.

Last year funding of more than €230,000 was provided to Safe Ireland in Cavan and Monaghan, which operates a support service delivering advocacy, accompaniment, outreach support and information regarding options.

In Monaghan, the Castleblayney area is supported by a number of Cuan's funded services, including the national 24-hour domestic violence helpline, which is operated by Women's Aid.

In addition, emergency refuge accommodation services are available in Dundalk where planning permission has been granted for the development of a new domestic violence shelter, comprising 16 units and six replacement units.