A new domestic violence refuge in South Dublin will provide five family units and will be able to accommodate 5 adults and up to 15 children, Minister Katherine Zappone has confirmed. Answering questions in the Dáil the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs confirmed that the new refuge is being delivered as part of a review of access to services by Tusla, the child and family agency. In addition Minister Zappone confirmed that the Rathmine’s Women’s Refuge which was suspended in 2017 will be upgraded and re-open with nine family
units shortly.
Minister Zappone added: “It is extraordinarily difficult for women and children to leave the family home – but this becomes even more challenging when there is no safe place to go. I am also keenly aware that we have key international commitments to be met, in particular requirements under the Istanbul Convention which Ireland ratified earlier this month. Since becoming the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in 2016, I have secured additional funding for domestic, sexual and gender based violence services. Funding has increased from €20.6 million in 2016 to €25.3 million in 2019″.
“Having said that there are challenges for Tusla in ensuring that we have the right number of refuges places in the right place for those who need them. Tusla will continue to work with frontline service providers to plans for additional refuge developments where they are needed. Currently, 22 of the 59 organisations funded by Tusla provide emergency refuge and emergency non-refuge accommodation to victims of domestic violence and their children, with a total of 155 family units of emergency accommodation. I am pleased to confirm that a new refuge is due to open in South Dublin by the end of Quarter 3, 2019. This refuge will have 5 family units and accommodate 5 adults and up to 15 children. In addition a newly upgraded Rathmines Womens Refuge will be providing nine family units for families seeking refuge from domestic violence. Plans are in progress to reopen the service for women and families seeking refuge in Quarter 2 of this year. In the coming weeks I will outline how the extra €1.5m in funding I have secured for frontline services for 2019 will be distributed.”
