Still no domestic abuse refuge in Laois despite site acquired

DESPITE a site purchased in 2023 for the provision of domestic abuse refuge for Laois, funding has not yet been sought for its construction.

The delay in providing the long-awaited and much needed facility to be constructed is that Laois Domestic Abuse Service needs to partner with a voluntary housing body before it can agree on a funding application to be submitted and approved before construction can begin on it.

That was the up to date news given to councillors about the long-awaited facility, at the March meeting of councillors from the Portlaoise Municipal District Council.

The council’s director of services Donal Brennan in a written reply to cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley’s request for on update on the facility, said: “In November 2023, Laois County Council purchased a 0.7 acre site to facilitate and support the development of a Domestic Violence Refuge in Laois. In order to advance the development of the refuge, Laois Domestic Abuse Service is required to partner with an Approved Housing Body. Once that partnership is established, Laois County Council will support an application to the Department of Housing under the Capital Assistance Scheme." 

He said: "The acquired site is currently accepted as sufficient for the project to proceed. The county council is acutely aware of the urgent need for the delivery of a Domestic Violence Refuge within the county and continues to work closely with Laois Domestic Abuse Service, the Housing Agency, CUAN (Department of Justice) and the Department of Housing on plans to construct a refuge, including advice on funding such the development through the Department of Housing's Capital Assistance Scheme. The council continue to meet regularly with relevant parties, including attending two multi-party meetings over the past two months.” 

Cllr Dwane Stanley said: “I welcome the announcement. The land has been purchased since 2023 and it has been something that we have been lobbying on for years. We’ve all mentioned the victims of domestic abuse and their children who have had to leave the county to avail of such facilities outside of the county. They are taken away from their supports they have, such as schools, doctors, friends and families. 

"We’re one of nine counties that doesn’t have a domestic refuges centre. This is brilliant news for those, who sadly are victims of domestic abuse.”

 “I’m delighted we have the site on the Mountrath Road," said cllr Dwane Stanley. "Initially there was an issue over the size of the site, that it might not have been big enough. I know that the council was liaising with the Laois Domestic Abuse Service. I now know that a new design has been made and the size of the site is currently adequate.” 

She said: “What now needs to happen is the committee of Laois Domestic Abuse Service sign up to an Approved Housing Body. That is the only way that the group will receive the funding to build the refuge. As far as the council’s end of it is concerned, we’ve provided the site.” 

“There is just other thing that I’d like to flag," said cllr Dwane Stanley, "We don’t have any council representation on that board (Laois Domestic Abuse Service). Down through the years there has been two or three public representatives on it. It’s important they we are represented. We have provided the site and will be supporting them 100% in terms of drawing down funding and assisting them with their applications. I also think that Laois County Council should be represented on the committee when the facility is up and running. I don’t know why the representatives were removed from the committee, but they should never have been. I hope our council officials will go back and look for a couple of positions on the board.” 

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said that while it’s good news she was, “disappointed that it has taken so long. But Laois Domestic Abuse Service haven’t yet formed a partnership with an approved housing body. That’s still in progress. This arrangement was called for in 2023. From the word go Laois Domestic Abuse Service was to have partnered with an approved housing body, and that still hasn’t happened. That part is disappointing. Hopefully it will be done soon, because this is an absolute vital service. I would like to see more urgency, because it won’t happen if the partnership is not formed. Maybe when more land was looked for, is what has delayed this happening.” 

Cllr Marie Tuohy asked whether there was any timeline for Laois Domestic Abuse Service officially partnering with an approved housing body?

The council’s director of services Simon Walton said: “The site is there. It awaits developments and the partnership with an approved housing body. Once that partnership is in place, the development can progress and will be supported on an-ongoing basis by Laois County Council. But Laois Domestic Abuse Service, in the first instance, needs to form a partnership with an approved housing body.” Cllr Dwane Stanley said: “Once the amalgamation is formed I don’t see any delay in moving quickly and getting the facility built. It’s now up to them (Laois Domestic Abuse Service) to get the process moved on.” Cathaoirleach of the municipal district council cllr Paddy Buggy said: “everyone agrees that this is a vital services. I’m surprised that it is taking so long. During Covid this issue really came to the fore. The then (council) chief executive John Mullholland committed that there would be services for domestic abuse victims in Laois.” 

Laois Domestic Abuse Service is located at Kylekiproe, Portlaoise, Co. Laois (R32 KX8E). It can be contacted by phoning 057 86 71100 or by emailing lina@laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie