Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
676. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to the engagement of his officials before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (details supplied), if it is now his intention to not provide a domestic violence refuge centre in County Cavan; if he will outline those counties for which he does not intend to provide a domestic violence refuge centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17021/26]
View answer677. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the counties in which domestic violence refuge centres are present; the counties in which he intends to establish same; the timeframe in which it is intended to establish same; the capacity in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17022/26]
View answer678. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the counties in which safe home projects are present; the counties in which he plans to establish same; the timeframe in which it is intended to establish same; the capacity in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17023/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 676, 677 and 678 together.
This Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle the scourge of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV), including by increasing funding to almost €80 million under Budget 2026, to support Cuan and services working to tackle DSGBV and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. The increased funding for Cuan and community organisations that support victims and survivors will accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation, while also providing stronger supports for victims.
Cuan is collaborating with various stakeholders, including domestic violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Local Authorities to facilitate local action and support service development and delivery of safe accommodation and ancillary services.
I am informed by Cuan that in 2025 the number of domestic violence refuge units increased by 13 – four in Louth and nine in Dublin - bringing the total number to 172. A further nine units are being developed in Dublin 22 and are expected to be operational shortly. A 12-unit refuge located in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Council area is scheduled to be completed and become operational later this year. This will bring the total number of refuge units to 193 by the end of the year.
Furthermore in 2026, Cuan is also working towards having a minimum of 50 new refuge units under construction nationally, across multiple sites. Last year, the number of Safe Home units increased by 8. This has increased total Safe Home capacity to 60. Cuan is working to increase that capacity to 94 this year.
The Cavan-Monaghan region is a priority area for refuge development under the government’s Zero Tolerance strategy. 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. 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. 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.
Both Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council have committed to the allocation of three units from their social housing stock, which will deliver an additional six Safe Homes across the region. Cuan is now working with Safe Ireland to finalise operational and staffing costs. All six units will become operational in 2026. Safe Ireland is working with the stakeholder group to create a solid infrastructure and a coherent connected response across both counties.
Cuan has agreed the allocation of additional resources to Safe Ireland. These additional resources will support Safe Ireland in its capacity to expand its services to provide both emergency refuge and Safe Home accommodation in the Cavan-Monaghan region.
I am advised that Cuan is currently considering future options for potential refuge provision in Cavan.
Cuan funds 78 DSGBV organisations nationally, including 20 domestic violence refuges. I am advised that Cuan does not hold data on the number of available spaces in each county, but has provided data on the number of units. A unit can typically accommodate a family.
Cuan have advised that the included table breaks down safe accommodation units, by county, as of February 2026.
|
DV Accommodation by County |
DV Refuge Units |
Safe Home Units |
Total DV Accommodation |
|
Dublin - City |
17 |
16 |
33 |
|
Dublin - Dun Laoghaire* |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Dublin - Fingal* |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
20 |
3 |
23** |
|
Carlow* |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Cavan* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare* |
6 |
2 |
8 |
|
Cork* |
11 |
3 |
14 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
10 |
14 |
|
Galway |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
Kerry* |
6 |
0 |
6 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
7 |
3 |
10 |
|
Laois* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
16 |
0 |
16 |
|
Longford* |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Louth* |
17 |
0 |
17 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Meath* |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Monaghan* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly* |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Roscommon* |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Sligo* |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
4 |
16 |
|
Westmeath* |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Total |
181 |
60 |
241 |
*DV Refuge Development Programme – Refuge Development in Progress.
**9 Units to become operational in early 2026.
