Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
593. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice the agreed Departmental definition of a refuge bed, a refuge unit, and a refuge space; if he will clarify the counting mechanisms for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14200/25]
View answer594. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of refuge beds currently operational in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14201/25]
View answer595. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new domestic violence refuge beds added in each county since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14202/25]
View answer596. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied that Ireland is meeting its obligations under the Istanbul Convention vis-à-vis provision of domestic violence refuge spaces; the requirements of the Istanbul Convention versus the current situation for domestic violence services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14203/25]
View answer597. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an accurate estimate of the average length of time it takes to deliver a domestic violence refuge using the capital assistance scheme funding system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14204/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 593 to 597, inclusive, together.
The Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) published in June 2022, is our most 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 the strategy is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and includes an ambitious target to double the number of refuge spaces by the end of 2026.
To accelerate the delivery of additional refuge accommodation year on year, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, was established last year. While currently almost three quarters of the population in the State is within 30 minutes of a refuge location, I am aware of the need to improve on this, and to ensure that services are accessible to everyone living in rural 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.
There were 147 refuge units at the end of 2023, with 12 new units delivered in 2024, including the state-of-the-art refuge in Wexford. In 2025, another 54 units are set to be under construction or due for refurbishment this year, of which 22 are expected to be delivered in Dublin and Louth.
Cuan is now responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Strategy and is working in partnership with the local front-line services providers, local authorities, the Department of Housing and the Housing Agency and has streamlined processes in order to accelerate the delivery of domestic violence refuges.
As the Deputy's questions relates to work being carried out by Cuan and data held by Cuan, I have referred them to the agency for direct response.
