Cathy Bennett
Question:183. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe in which refuges will open in both Cavan and Monaghan. [6175/26]
View answerTuesday, 27 January 2026
Questions (183)
Written answers
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. Cuan, the national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, is responsible for coordinating, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the 'Zero Tolerance' Third National Strategy on DSGBV. A key goal of the Strategy is ensuring that anyone who needs safe accommodation can access it, regardless of where they are.
The Capital Assistance Scheme Stage 1 application for a refuge site in Monaghan was approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage last October. Cuan has advised that work is ongoing towards submitting a Stage 2 application, which will include further detail and costings on the full extent of works that will be required. I am informed that the CAS process takes on average 75 weeks with construction typically taking 15 – 18 months. Safe Ireland is the lead Approved Housing Body on this development and is also committed to exploring other options of accommodation development including the potential development of interim refuges in County Monaghan. In addition I welcome the commitments from both Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council to allocating three units from their social housing stock, which will deliver an additional six Safe Homes across the two counties. Cuan is working with Safe Ireland to finalise the associated operational and staffing costs and all six units are expected to become operational this year. Safe Ireland is working with the stakeholder group to create a solid infrastructure and a coherent connected response across both counties.