I had the opportunity to visit Teach Tearmainn women’s refuge in Kildare recently where I met Lorraine Rowan, the CEO, and her team who are carrying out incredible work. A lot of questions arose from that meeting, particularly the need to outline the criteria being used by Cuan in identifying priority locations for new refuge units and if counties with established domestic, sexual and gender based violence services, such as Kildare, may be considered for inclusion in future phases of refuge development.

I thank Deputy Ó Cearúil for his question. I have also visited Teach Tearmainn. It is a wonderful refuge in County Kildare but, like very many of the refuges that have been established, it is obviously under pressure in terms of meeting the demand for its services, unfortunately.

Cuan is instrumentally part of funding to ensure that we can provide refuges and safe homes for predominantly women who are fleeing domestic violence. We are now increasing funding for Cuan, which is within my Department, up to €80 million per year. It is a very important function that is carried out within my Department. Obviously, there is collaboration between Cuan and a series of stakeholders, whether local authorities, the Department of housing and housing agencies. Between them the objective is to try to identify and ensure there are refuges or, indeed, safe homes, which are of use also, around the country to ensure there is sufficient refuge space and safe home space for people fleeing domestic violence.

The Deputy’s specific question was around whether another location in Kildare could be identified. While Kildare has not been identified as a priority location for new refuge construction in the current phase, Cuan is considering it as a location for consideration in future refuge development programmes and is supportive of ensuring Kildare is on the priority list for phase 2 development.

A lot of work is being done around ensuring new refuge spaces are established. A lot were established last year. The number increased by 13, with four in Louth and nine in Dublin, bringing the total number to 172 refuges. Additionally, another nine units have been developed in Dublin 22 and further units are being developed. I will liaise with Cuan in respect of ensuring Kildare is adequately serviced.

I welcome the Minister saying that Cuan is considering Kildare for phase 2 development. That is welcome news. Teach Tearmainn is in Kildare town, which is quite a considerable distance from the north of the county, from the likes of Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge, Kilcock and Clane, and it is technically in the Kildare South constituency. However, it caters for women not only across Kildare but also across the midlands. The work it does is truly outstanding.

One thing that has arisen for Teach Tearmainn is the amount of court-based related work it has been carrying out in Naas. There is need for a refuge centre in Naas, although I should say it has safe houses there. When will phase 2 be considered so that the likes of Teach Tearmainn can plan for the future?

We need to take a broad look at the work Cuan is doing. It is working towards having a minimum of 50 new refuge units under construction across multiple sites this year. Last year the number of safe homes increased by eight which increased the total safe-home capacity to 60. It is working to increase that capacity to 94. That means that by the end of 2026, we aim to increase the number of safe accommodation spaces, refuges and safe homes to 287.

I will come back to the Deputy on the priority phase 2 development issue he raised in terms of timelines. The priority list for phase 2 development has a timeline but a lot of it is about identifying a suitable location. Sometimes that can be difficult to identify. I hear what the Deputy says about Naas. I am happy to engage with him on any proposals he thinks would be suitable for provision of a refuge.

I want to state my appreciation for the work the Minister, Cuan and the Department are doing in increasing supports for domestic violence survivors and indeed those who care for them. What the likes of Teach Tearmainn are looking for is the long- and medium-term assurances that staffing capacity will keep pace with the rising need. We are seeing a rising need, particularly in domestic violence situations which is quite worrying. It is not just in Kildare - it is across the country – and that is reflected in the increased number of refuge centres across the country and in the work the Department is doing. I want to acknowledge the vital work Teach Tearmainn is doing under real pressure and under constraints. The Minister has seen it himself. It has a really impressive set up. Kildare has the population, the demand and the established service infrastructure with Teach Tearmainn to cater for and care for more women not only in Kildare but across the region.

I agree on Teach Tearmainn. It is in a very peaceful location at the end of a quiet road. It is something I am very pleased my Department has been funding. Last year my Department provided funding to Teach Tearmainn of €930,000. It will be funded again this year with probably an increase on that.

While Kildare has not been identified as a priority for new refuge construction in this current phase, Cuan is aware of this as a location for consideration in future. I will engage with the Deputy on this. The demand for these services is very significant, regrettably, but they are needed for short-term refuge spaces for women fleeing domestic abuse. As I will say in my response to the next question, we cannot develop a situation where the default position is that women who are the victims of abuse leave the house while the abuser remains there. We need to move on from that.