Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
452. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any national forecasting model exists regarding future refuge accommodation demand arising from housing pressures, homelessness risk and population growth. [41168/26]
View answer455. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Government has conducted any updated assessment since the 2022 Tusla review regarding unmet demand for domestic violence refuge accommodation. [41172/26]
View answer456. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration which counties currently have no dedicated domestic violence refuge accommodation available. [41173/26]
View answer457. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether Ireland currently meets the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention-recommended level of domestic violence refuge accommodation provision. [41174/26]
View answer458. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the projected additional refuge units required nationally to meet estimated demand over the next five years. [41175/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 455 to 458, inclusive, together.
The Government and I continue to prioritise action to address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). Under Budget 2026, funding of almost €80 million has been provided to support Cuan, frontline organisations working in the DSGBV sector and implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. This additional investment will support the acceleration of safe accommodation delivery and strengthen supports available to victims and survivors.
Since being established in January 2024, Cuan has advanced significant work in expanding safe accommodation capacity for victims of domestic violence and their families. The provision of safe accommodation is aligned with Article 23 of the Istanbul Convention, which requires States to provide appropriate and accessible shelters in sufficient numbers for victims, particularly women and children.
Refuges and safe homes provide essential protection and support to victims of domestic violence and their families during periods of crisis, while also facilitating access to wraparound supports that assist safety and recovery.
Cuan is working closely with a range of stakeholders, including domestic violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and local authorities, in order to support local action and the delivery of safe accommodation and related services.
At the commencement of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, there were 49 safe homes and 141 domestic violence refuge units in place nationally. This forms part of our overall commitment to deliver 282 safe spaces by 2026, significantly increasing capacity and access. By the end of 2026, this is expected to increase to 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units, in addition to 50 further units currently under construction. All refuges due to open during 2026 remain on schedule, including 12 units in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown which are expected to become operational in Quarter 3 of 2026.
Cuan is actively seeking further opportunities to develop emergency domestic violence accommodation, particularly in areas lacking such facilities. The development of safe homes in locations without existing provisions is crucial for supporting those fleeing domestic violence.
While specialised domestic violence service providers work to meet the diverse needs of victims, it is important to note that refuges and Safe Homes are crisis interventions and not designed to function as long-term accommodation solutions and therefore, collaboration is required among all key stakeholders to identify and develop appropriate referral pathways out of emergency domestic violence accommodation.
Cuan currently funds 78 DSGBV organisations nationwide, including 20 domestic violence refuges. I am advised that Cuan does not maintain data on the number of individuals who were unable to access emergency domestic violence accommodation, due to difficulties experienced by services in consistently capturing this information. However, data has been provided regarding the number of units available in each county. A unit may typically accommodate a family. Cuan has further advised that the table at the link below outlines safe accommodation units by county as of May 2026.
In addition, my Department engages with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other relevant Departments through a number of interdepartmental structures and working groups, including in the context of the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan, together with the Homelessness Prevention Framework, and will continue to work collaboratively with partners in the sector to strengthen supports and protections for victims and survivors.
