Refuge centre sought in Leitrim for victims of domestic violence

A refuge for victims of domestic and gender-based violence is needed in Leitrim, the Dáil has heard. 

During a debate on gender-based violence in Dáil Éireann, Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin called on the Minister for Justice to provide funding for the establishment of a refuge for victims of domestic and gender-based violence in Leitrim.

She also asked the Minister to speed up progress on the planned development of a refuge in Sligo.

"Minister, while I recognise some good work has been done in the context of supporting victims of domestic violence, in the part of the country that I represent, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon, there is no woman's refuge. I know you are working on establishing a domestic violence refuge in Sligo, but there is an urgent need for it to be in place as soon as possible.

"It is equally important that we see plans for a refuge in Leitrim,” Ms Harkin said.

“The Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence recommends at least one family refuge place per 10,000 population. In Ireland that means we should have about 512 refuge places nationally. Your plan is for 280 places by 2026, we need to increase those numbers and we must ensure that counties like Leitrim are included. Leitrim has a population of over 35,000 people which means that at least four family refuge places should be available in the county.  

“Finally, Minister, while the provision of refuge places is crucial, it is but a tiny piece of the jigsaw puzzle. We need support for the range of services provided to the 95% of victims and their families who will never go to a refuge centre. Organisations like DVAS in Sligo Leitrim are just excellent at providing those services so I'm hoping to see extra resources in budget 2025," Deputy Harkin said.