The Shannonside Northern Sound region is among the areas that will be prioritised for new refuge spaces.
The Justice Minister is making moves to set up a landmark agency, to oversee the delivery of domestic abuse services.
It’s on the back of a review of refuge accommodation by Tusla, which identified 10 areas where there is a significant under-provision of services.
This review shows a clear geographical gap in Ireland’s refuge services.
It found the most significant under provision were in Cavan/Monaghan, Sligo, Cork, Dublin, Westmeath, Laois and Longford.
Minister McEntee says she’ll be prioritising creating 50-60 new refuge places first, including eight in Cavan/Monaghan:
Staffing will be needed to accommodate new refuge spaces.
Safe Ireland’s Mary McDermott says better conditions are needed:
A public consultation on this national strategy opens tomorrow.
Orla O’Connor from the National Women’s Council says that adds weight to the draft:
There is currently no dedicated refuge for people fleeing violence across the Shannonside Northern Sound region.
Tusla has also committed to engaging with local authorities to source refuge provision in Cavan/Monaghan, Leitrim, and Roscommon, as well as Offaly and Carlow.
