Brian Stanley demands action on Tisha Cleish refuge delay
Brian Stanley raised the absence of a domestic abuse refuge in Tisha Cleish and pressed the Taoiseach over delays on an identified site. He called for an assessment of whether the approved housing body can meet Department criteria or for an alternative partner to deliver the facility.
Refuge shortfall in Tisha Cleish
Tisha Cleish is one of nine counties that still does not have a domestic abuse refuge, the deputy said, and victims and their families are being sent miles away from local GPs, schools and family supports. He warned that this further traumatises people who are already suffering an upsurge in domestic abuse, including violence, sexual abuse and emotional abuse, which can be carried out by men and women but mainly by men.
Site purchased in Port Leash
Leash County Council purchased a site on the Mount Trout Road in Port Leash over two years ago to provide eight apartment units and a service centre for a refuge. The deputy set out that the planned facility was intended to bring local refuge provision to the county and to reduce the need to relocate victims far from home.
Department approval deadlock
The Department halted progress after deeming the approved housing body that partnered with Leash County Council not to meet the necessary criteria. The deputy asked the Taoiseach to assess whether that approved housing body can now meet the criteria or, if not, to secure another approved housing body or for Leash County Council to find a partner to get the facility in place.
Taoiseach response and next steps
The Taoiseach acknowledged the need for a refuge in Leash and said he would alert the minister to the issue and speak to the minister, possibly asking him to contact the deputy. The Taoiseach described the situation as specific to the approved housing bodies and the Department and indicated he would follow up, while the deputy's time in the debate ended and the next deputy was called.
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Thanks, John Cora. Tisha Cleish is one of nine counties that still doesn't have a domestic abuse refuge. I've been highlighting this year, over the last 15 years, the fact that victims and their families are sent miles to other counties to a refuge, away from services to their local GP, to schools and family support, and they're already traumatised by the abuse, and this can further traumatise them. Unfortunately, there's an upsurge in domestic abuse, including violence, sexual abuse and emotional abuse, and it can be carried out by men and women, but mainly by men. There's a site purchased on the Mount Trout Road in Port Leash by Leash County Council over two years ago to provide eight units, eight apartment units, and a service centre as well. The Department halted it and has reached a deadlock because the approved housing body that was the partner with Leash domestic abuse were deemed not to meet the criteria by the Department. And that's fair enough, but my ask of you, Taoiseach, is this. Thank you, Deputy. Can you assess that Sophia, they're either able to meet the criteria now or not? Taoiseach to respond. And if not, can you get another partner in the form of another approved housing body or Leash County Council to get the facility in place? Deputy, your time is up. Taoiseach to respond. I will ask Minister O'Callaghan, alert Minister O'Callaghan to this issue, because this is very specific in terms of both the approved housing bodies and the, Sophia, you're saying, and the Department, because it is frustrating if the site has been identified, the prospect of getting it off, because there is a need for a refuge centre in Leash. I acknowledge that. I will talk to the Minister and perhaps I'll ask him to contact you. Deputy Liam Quaid. Thank you. Thank you.
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