Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
533. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the services funded or overseen by Cuan that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and what arrangements are available to a victim requiring immediate specialist domestic violence assistance during the night or at weekends. [68081/26]
View answerThis Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). This includes 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.
For victims of domestic or sexual violence support services from State agencies and the voluntary sector are available to help. Anyone in any immediate danger should contact An Garda Síochána on 999/112. AlwaysHere.ie is a website that is run by Cuan, and lists all the DSGBV support services that are available both locally and nationally.
Along with many other in-person services, there are a number of helplines that offer support to victim-survivors 24 hours a day and at weekends. The Women’s Aid 24-hour National Freephone Helpline is a free, non-judgmental, and confidential service that offers support to women subjected to domestic abuse including coercive control. This includes emotional, physical, sexual, or economic abuse by a current or former partner. The National Freephone Helpline provides support in 240 languages. If English is not someone's first language, they can be helped in their own language through the free and confidential telephone interpretation service. The 24-hour National Freephone Helpline is a gateway to local independent refuges and support services across the country.
Anyone affected by rape, sexual assault or other forms of sexual violence can call the National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778888, a free and confidential listening and support service run by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC). Skilled crisis counsellors offer non-judgmental support to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Both Women’s Aid and DRCC receive funding from Cuan, the full details of which can be found in Cuan’s Annual Report 2025.
