I propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 301 and 302 together.
This Government has taken unprecedented actions to confront the scourge 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. The increased funding for Cuan and community organisations that support victims and survivors will accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation, while also providing stronger supports for victims.
Cuan was established in January 2024 and over the period since, has made significant progress in relation to provision of safe accommodation capacity for victims of domestic violence and their families in a context of a difficult housing market and rising construction costs. Provision of safe accommodation is in line with Article 23 of the Istanbul Convention which requires states to “provide for appropriate, easily accessible shelters in sufficient numbers to provide safe accommodation for and to reach out pro-actively to victims, especially women and their children."
Provision of refuges and safe homes is providing vital safety to victims of domestic violence and their families at extremely difficult times as they can also access wraparound supports in these safe spaces that help to provide the conditions necessary for safety and recovery.
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.
At the onset of the zero-tolerance strategy, there were 49 safe homes and 141 DV refuge units in place. By the end of 2026, the target is to increase this to 94 safe homes,193 refuge units, with an additional 50 units under construction. All refuges scheduled to open in 2026 are on track, including 12 units in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown expected to be operational in Q3 2026.
Cuan remains committed to collaborating with key stakeholders to explore additional opportunities for developing DV accommodation, especially in areas where such facilities are currently lacking, while also considering interim refuges and alternative accommodation for those fleeing domestic violence.
Cuan funds 78 DSGBV organisations nationally, including 20 domestic violence refuges. I am advised that Cuan does not hold data on the number of people who were unable to access emergency domestic violence accommodation, owing to challenges facing services in tracking such data, but has provided data on the number of units in each county. A unit can typically accommodate a family.
Cuan is dedicated to leading the development and delivery of high-quality, accessible services and supports that meet the needs of all victim survivors and persons at risk of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Central to this objective is ensuring that services are victim-survivor centred, inclusive and tailored to the needs of diverse groups, particularly the most vulnerable.
Cuan is prioritising the creation of a robust, scalable funding model, the implementation of National Service Standards and the development of a National Services Development Plan. I'm informed that, by working with partners across the sector, Cuan aims to build capacity, accelerate delivery of accommodation and ensure frontline professionals and support staff are trained to respond effectively.
Cuan has further advised that the table at the following link breaks down safe accommodation units, by county, as of May 2026. Cuan has advised that it does not collate by local authority but by county.
DV Accommodation 21/05/26
