2620. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of additional domestic violence refuge and emergency accommodation spaces that have become fully operational in County Clare since Cuan was established; the number of spaces available when Cuan commenced; the number available currently; the number currently under development; and the expected opening date of any planned facility. [63871/26]

2621. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific additional services for victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that have become fully operational in County Clare since the establishment of Cuan. [63870/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2620 and 2621 together.

This Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). This includes increasing funding to almost €80 million under Budget 2026, to support Cuan and services working to tackle DSGBV and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. The increased funding for Cuan and community organisations that support victims and survivors will accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation, while also providing stronger supports for victims.

Refuge units and safe homes provide a vital place of safety for families in crisis. The Government is determined to continue to establish units across the country to ensure that those supports are available when they are most needed.

At the start of the zero-tolerance strategy, there were 49 safe homes and 141 DV refuge units in place. By the end of 2026, the target is to increase this to 94 safe homes,193 refuge units, with an additional 50 units under construction. All refuges scheduled to open in 2026 are on track, including 12 units in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown expected to be operational in Q4 2026.

In County Clare, Cuan provided funding of approximately €1.18 million to Clare Haven Services in 2025 to support the delivery of specialist domestic violence services and supports for victims and survivors. Details can be found in the Cuan annual report for 2025: Cuan_Annual_Report_2025.pdf

Cuan has advised that, as of Q3 2026, County Clare has six domestic violence refuge units and two Safe Home units, providing a total of eight domestic violence accommodation units.

Cuan has further advised that, prior to its establishment in 2024, domestic violence accommodation data was not held on a directly comparable basis due to changes in administrative and reporting structures in the sector, including the transfer and consolidation of functions previously exercised by a number of bodies, including my Department and Tusla. Accordingly, Cuan is not in a position to provide verified figures for the number of refuge or emergency accommodation spaces available in County Clare prior to its establishment.