Cavan and Monaghan are two of the counties without a dedicated refuge centre. Tearmann services do a very good job locally in the two counties supporting people, both women and men but predominantly women, going through such trauma. Tearmann recorded a 35% increase in 2021 in the number of people seeking support since 2019. They support families along with the local authorities through HAP and rent supplement programmes. It is very urgent that a dedicated refuge centre be established in Cavan-Monaghan because if people need accommodation at the moment in such a centre, they have to source the accommodation in Louth, Meath or Sligo, which is totally unsuitable for families who want to ensure their children can still attend school while going through such trauma.

As I said earlier, my view would be that if the county council, for example Cavan County Council, and Tearmann services could combine and approach the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a view to providing such a centre, these are the interim approaches we have to take while the strategy outlines the more medium term. I think we would be forthcoming in responding to the county council working with the local service provider there to accelerate the provision of a centre.