Domestic violence refuges
Imelda Munster said women fleeing domestic violence were still being turned away from refuges and that nine counties had none at all. The Taoiseach said the relevant Ministers had published an audit and work on new refuge spaces would begin quickly.
On International Women's Day 2022, women who experience domestic violence and abuse are still being turned away from refuges. In fact, nine counties throughout the State do not have any domestic violence refuge at all. The Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, said there would be extra places by the end of the year, but women cannot wait that long. When will women be a priority for the Government? When will every woman in the State have a refuge when she desperately needs it?
Comment on this
The Minister for Justice and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have published the audit on refuge spaces for women who are victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The work will commence very quickly on that. Of course, it will take time to design facilities and work with groups on the ground in given locations to bring about the construction and development of new public facilities.