Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
174. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the work of Cuan, including progress to date on its mandate; the current programmes in operation, staffing and budget allocations; the planned developments for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5984/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCuan, the national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, is responsible for coordinating, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of Zero Tolerance – the Third National Strategy on DSGBV.
Cuan’s budget has increased substantially, rising from approximately €59 million in 2024 to €67 million in 2025, with a further increase to almost €80 million in 2026. This funding will support continued service expansion, accommodation delivery and implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. Cuan’s budget includes 39 staff members and I am advised that the agency is continuing to build and grow its complement of staff.
In June 2025, I published the final Implementation Plan covering the remaining period of the Strategy (2025–2026). The plan sets out 95 actions across four pillars—Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Coordination—with 22 implementation partners responsible for delivery. For the first time, the plan includes specific performance measures for each action, supported by a bespoke monitoring and reporting framework designed to enhance transparency, accountability and delivery. The next progress report is due in the first half of 2026.
Significant progress has been made in expanding emergency accommodation:
• In 2025, domestic violence refuge capacity increased by 13 units, bringing the total to 172.
• A further 9 units in Dublin 22 are due to become operational early this year and Cuan has a target to increase the number of refuge units to 193 by the end of 2026.
• Safe Home provision increased to 60 units in 2025, with a target of 94 by the end of 2026. This will bring total safe accommodation to 287 by the end of 2026.
• Cuan is also working towards having 50 new refuge units under construction nationally over the course of this year.
In 2025, Cuan allocated over €57 million to 78 organisations providing specialised DSGBV supports. This includes €45.3 million for 63 domestic violence services, €35.3 million of which supports emergency accommodation. It is projected that these services will have supported approximately 44,000 individuals in 2025, including 1,500 households accessing refuge or Safe Home accommodation.
Cuan continues to fund and support national helplines and specialist organisations such as Women’s Aid, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Men’s Development Network, Ruhama, Akidwa and Pavee Point. Two 24/7 Freephone helplines are available nationwide, alongside a dedicated helpline for male victims. Funding has been increased to improve accessibility, including online and web-text supports for young people.
Cuan is strengthening inter-agency cooperation, particularly with the Departments of Housing and Social Protection, to prevent homelessness arising from domestic violence. This includes engagement on rent supplement protocols, housing prioritisation guidelines and the Programme for Government commitment to improve social protection supports for those fleeing abuse.
In prevention and education, Cuan is supporting reforms to the SPHE curriculum and rolling out the Consent Education Programme nationally, with an expected reach of up to 40,000 students. Public awareness campaigns—including Hardest Stories, Always Here and Let’s Have the Consent Conversation—continue to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking.
