Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
199. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of new domestic violence refuge places delivered in 2025, and to provide a county-by-county breakdown of same. [4786/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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. This represents an increase of €12 million year on year.
• Launching the final implementation plan of the Third National ‘Zero Tolerance’ strategy, the most ambitious national DSGBV strategy to date, last June.
• Introducing significant legislative change which includes measures to allow perpetrators of domestic violence to be included on a new register of domestic violence judgments run by the Courts Service, and to restrict the disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials.
• Increasing funding for Cuan and for community organisations that support victims and survivors which will accelerate the delivery of additional refuge spaces and 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 refuges and ancillary services.
I am informed by Cuan that in 2025 DV Refuge Capacity/Units increased by 13 units (four in Louth and nine in Dublin 4), bringing the number to 172 . Additionally, nine units are being developed in Dublin 22 which are expected to be operational early this year. A further 12-unit refuge is scheduled to be completed and become operational later this year.
In 2025, the number of Safe Home units increased by eight. This has increased Safe Home capacity to 60. In 2026, Cuan is working towards having a minimum of 50 new refuge units under construction across multiple sites nationally.
