More than half of our domestic violence refuges around the country are full and local refuges are being forced to turn women and children away. Many of those women and children, in turn, have to travel to other parts of the country simply to seek safety. This is happening at a time when the Garda has told us it has received more than 60,000 calls concerning domestic abuse. Last December, the Minister for Justice said 98 refuge units would be delivered by the end of 2025 in the priority areas. Westmeath is deemed a priority area under the Government's strategy. Last year, Esker House in Athlone, provided emergency refuge accommodation to 28 women and 41 children but received requests from 267 people. This is the only such facility in the midlands. There is no refuge in County Longford.

I thank the Deputy.

While plans to build a new, purpose-built refuge centre already exist on paper, a suitable site is lacking and this is holding up the project. Will the Minister offer assistance to Esker House in sourcing a new site? If no site can be identified, how does the Government intend to meet its own targets and where will women and children in desperate need of safety go?

I thank Deputy Clarke very much for raising this important issue. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, is extraordinarily committed to adopting a zero-tolerance approach to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. As recently as last week we saw the establishment of Cuan, the new national agency to co-ordinate these efforts. I thank the people undertaking the work in Esker House. The delivery of more refuge beds is a priority for the Minister for Justice. Specifically regarding Esker House in County Westmeath, I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy directly.