An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-18
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Linda Nelson Murray (FG), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I second Senator Kennelly's wonderful idea for an event in recognition of the lovely Jessie Buckley. Allow yourself to bend like a willow in the wind, so that you will not break. A willow tree represents resilience and adapting to the wisdom of life's storms. Last week, I had the honour of going to the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan where Meath Women's Refuge changed its name to Willow Domestic Abuse Services. My council colleagues have approved plans by Meath County Council for a new women's refuge on a 1.3 ha site in Navan. This is a major step forward in addressing domestic abuse and providing vital protection for women and children in Meath. The new refuge will provide a modern, purpose-built facility, delivering essential front-line support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. It will include a main building offering day services, counselling and support facilities, together with 12 secure residential accommodation units designed to meet urgent safety needs. It will also include secure parking and a protected residential courtyard featuring a secure sensory garden to create a safe, therapeutic and supportive environment for residents rebuilding their lives after abuse. It comes at a time when domestic abuse services across Ireland are under unprecedented pressure.
In 2024, Women's Aid recorded 46,700 disclosures of domestic violence, with 41,000 of those against women and 5,000 of them involving children. Locally, Willow Domestic Abuse Services reported a 22% increase in helpline calls in 2024, with 1,376 calls for help received and 194 women and children stayed in refuge accommodation while hundreds more accessed outreach and core support services.
Funding for the women's refuge has been improved and I welcome this major investment. This investment represents not only additional accommodation but a critical response to a growing social need, ensuring that women and children in Meath have access to safety, dignity and specialist support when they need it most. Although this is a wonderful investment, it has never been more important to keep up this investment across County Meath and Ireland.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-18