Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
768. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of domestic violence refuge spaces in each county; and the current number of available spaces in each county, in tabular form. [6481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me.
This Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle the scourge of 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 be included on a new register of domestic violence judgments run by the courts, 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 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 safe accommodation and ancillary services.
The Government's commitment to safe accommodation involves the purchase and or construction of safe homes and refuges.
I am informed by Cuan that, in 2025, Domestic Violence Refuge Capacity/Units increased by 13 units (four in Louth and nine in Dublin 4), bringing the number to 172. Additionally, 9 units are being developed in Dublin 22 and expected to be operational early this year.
A further 12-unit refuge is scheduled to be completed and become operational later this year, bringing the total number of refuge units to 193 in 2026.
In 2025 the number of Safe Home units increased by 8. This has increased safe home capacity to 60. In 2026, Cuan is working towards having 50 new refuge units under construction across multiple sites nationally.
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.
The attached table breaks down safe accommodation units by county, as of January 2026.
