DV refuge for region being reviewed

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is undertaking a review of emergency accommodation provision for victims of domestic violence.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has ordered the review of services.

Tulsa is responsible for providing support, coordination and funding to almost 60 organisations around the country that deliver front line services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

Confirmation that Tusla is now actively examining the prospect of establishing a refuge service locally was provided recently to Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith.

Tusla, it's understood, has been in contact with funded organisations in relation to a strategic review of domestic violence accommodation to inform the future commissioning of domestic violence emergency accommodation services.

In a response to a parliamentary question tabled in the Dáil by Deputy Smith, the Minister said: “Tusla will carry out further engagements as the year progresses with a view to finalising the review. Future developments will be informed by the findings of the review and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.”

Deputy Smith had previously raised the need for a refuge for Cavan-Monaghan with the Minister for Justice.

“It is not acceptable that victims of domestic abuse in Cavan and Monaghan have to travel to Meath, Louth or Sligo for refuge accommodation,” said Deputy Smith.

Recently published figures showed a rise in the number of domestic violence call outs responded to by An Garda Siochána across the county between January-March 2020 compared to the same period last year.

In Cavan District, the number of cases where no offence was disclosed rose from just three in 2019 to 37 in 2020; while in Bailieborough District the number jumped from 37 to 47 in 12 months.

However, the number of breaches of orders have fallen, from 11 to three in 2020 in Cavan District, and seven to five in Bailieborough.

Incidents of assault have also seen some increases.

The number of alleged domestic assaults rose county wide, from 16 to 20, whereas incidents of assault causing harm have fallen from 15 in 2019 to six.

Deputy Smith commented: “The increase in domestic violence over recent months is a further worrying development and clearly shows the urgent need to provide adequate supports in a timely manner for victims. We also need to see much needed progress in providing refuge accommodation in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan.”