We need to be ‘realistic’ about the number of refuge spaces

A LOCAL TD has criticised remarks made by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee saying that we need to be “realistic” about the number of new refuge spaces that can be provided in the country reports.

Minister McEntee made the remark at the launch of a landmark new state agency devoted to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), called Cuan.

Cuan will be responsible for trying to double the number of domestic abuse refuge spaces in Ireland from 140 to 280 by 2026, to deal with the over-capacity of existing refuges.

Minister McEntee said that the target for 280 spaces is “for this strategy, and this strategy alone”.

“We will, of course, be ambitious and want to go beyond that,” she added.

“But we have to be realistic about what we can achieve between now and the end of 2026.

“The objective is to double the number of refuge spaces that we have. We’re making good progress.”

However, Minister McEntee’s remarks were not welcomed by local People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy.

“The Minister’s claims that it’s not ‘realistic’ for a wealthy country like Ireland to provide the minimum number of refuge places legally required under the Istanbul Convention are a disgrace,” he said.

“Under the Convention, Ireland is legally required to provide one space for every 10,000 people.

“According to the most recent Census data, that means 500 refuge places must be provided.

“Yet the government is planning to provide only 280 places by 2026 and no additional places will be provided in Tallaght.

“This is despite the fact that the Tallaght refuge operated by Saoirse Domestic Violence Services is consistently full.

“Less than a quarter of women seeking to access the refuge last year could be accommodated there due to lack of space.

“Women are being forced to choose between unsuitable emergency homeless accommodation or remaining with abusive partners. This is unsafe and a gross violation of human rights.

“Transitional housing is also full and is now only available for 18 months rather than two years as was previously the case.

“With no long-term social or affordable housing available due to this Government’s disastrous housing policies, women and children fleeing domestic abuse are being forced into homelessness.

“The Government needs to address this now by providing the funding needed to triple the number of refuge places nationally from 140 to 500, including at least three times as many places in the Tallaght area.

“If the Government refuses to act, South Dublin County Council can.

“By levying higher rates on profitable big businesses in the area like Amazon, it can raise the funding needed to provide additional refuge places locally and to build and renovate social and affordable housing.”

If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this article, Saoirse Domestic Violence Services has a 24/7 helpline on 01 463 0000.

For further information on Saoirse Domestic Violence Services visit sdvs.ie or follow them on social media.