Ministers McEntee and O’Brien welcome commencement of site selection process Domestic Violence Refuge in the Cavan / Monaghan Region

Multi-Agency Working Group, including Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, Safe Ireland, Department of Housing and Housing Agency, established to identify and assess potential sites.
 
 
1 November 2024
 
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD have today (Friday) welcomed the commencement of a site selection process for the building of a domestic violence refuge in the Cavan/Monaghan region, one of the regions identified as a ‘Phase 1’ priority for refuge development under the Zero Tolerance strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. 
 
In addition to identifying suitable locations for refuge development, the process will focus on identifying potential locations for safe home development. 
 
Speaking today, Minister McEntee said:
 
“Cavan and Monaghan was identified as a priority location and Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency, which I established earlier this year, was tasked with taking forward work to develop a new refuge facility in that region.
 
“I welcome that the site selection process has now commenced. This is a key step in the delivery of a new domestic violence refuge in the Cavan / Monaghan region. My Plan is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge will have access to one. 
 
Speaking today, Minister O’Brian said:
 
“The establishment of a multi-agency working group in Cavan Monaghan is a welcome step towards providing a much-needed Domestic Violence Refuge with ancillary facilities in the region. At present victims and their families in Cavan and Monaghan have to travel unacceptable distances from family, friends, and community supports in order to access refuge spaces. That’s not a situation I or this Government want to see continued.  
 
“My department will provide the capital funding for construction once a site has been identified and the refuge has been designed. There are a number of steps that need to happen prior to this point, and this working group will assist with these necessary processes, expedite them where possible and ensure project momentum is maintained. I want to be very clear in saying both I and my Department are absolutely committed to providing this refuge. 
 
“I’d like to recognise the strong support of both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, as well as our colleagues in Cuan, The Domestic, Sexual, and Gender Based Violence Agency, and The Housing Agency. We have observed a noticeable improvement in lead in time for domestic violence refuge projects where this multiagency collaboration is occurring and hope to see the Cavan Monaghan refuge in development very soon,” he concluded.”