Women’s Refuge Urgently Needed in North County Dublin - Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee

Fianna Fail Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee has said there is an acute need for a women’s refuge centre in North County Dublin. Senator Clifford Lee raised the issue in the Seanad with Minister at the Department of Justice James Browne TD.

The Dublin Fingal Senator said, “There is no Women's Refuge currently in North County Dublin despite the very large population living in the area.

“Communities in North Fingal need a commitment to funding and they need the Department of Justice to engage with Fingal Co Co and various stakeholders to deliver this and deliver it without further delay for the women and children of North County Dublin. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in gender-based and domestic violence in Ireland. Women and their children have been subjected to great violence within their own homes at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. For women and children who have to flee their homes often with just the clothes on their backs, they need to know that there is someplace local to them where they can go, be safe and get the support they need.”

Minister Browne said that the Department of Justice was working with Fingal County Council to secure a site for a woman’s refuge and that Balbriggan had been identified as a priority area.

“I’m pleased to see the Minister acknowledge the need for a woman’s refuge in North Fingal. A TUSLA report on the nationwide provision of refuges published in February 2022 identified Balbriggan as a priority area for a new women’s refuge given the increase in population in the wider area in recent years. The Department must move quickly as we can’t see women going with no safe place to go when they experience violence at home,” concluded Senator Clifford Lee.