This 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. 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.
Refuge units and safe homes provide a vital place of safety for families in crisis. The Government is determined to continue to establish units across the country to ensure that those supports are available when they are most needed.
At the start 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 Quarter 4 2026.
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. Furthermore, Cuan continues to explore additional opportunities for developing domestic violence accommodation, especially in areas where such facilities are currently lacking, while also considering interim refuges and alternative accommodation for those fleeing domestic violence.
Work is also ongoing by Cuan to create a robust, scalable funding model, implement National Service Standards and develop a National Services Development Plan (NSDP). By working with partners across the sector, Cuan is building capacity, accelerating delivery of accommodation and ensuring that frontline professionals and support staff are trained to respond effectively.
The are nine counties currently without a domestic violence refuge, they are; Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon and Sligo. However, five of these counties have Safe Homes, which is another form of safe domestic violence accommodation. Work is underway to develop safe accommodation capacity in the remaining four counties; beginning with Leitrim and Laois, with Laois identified as a priority area for refuge development.
Cuan is also working to support the provision of domestic violence accommodation in Cavan and Monaghan. Cuan is working with Safe Ireland to deliver six Safe Homes (three in Monaghan and three in Cavan), and an interim refuge in Monaghan. It is anticipated that these will be operational by Quarter 4 2026.
Cuan has further advised that the attached table outlines safe accommodation units by county as as of Quarter 3 2026.
Cuan Overview of DV accommodation
