Funding granted for new domestic violence refuge

Funding has been approved for a new domestic violence refuge in Cork city in Turners’ Cross.

The refuge will be delivered by Good Shepherd Cork and Cuanlee Refuge in partnership with Cork City Council under the Capital Assistance Scheme. The project will now progress to the pre-tender stage.

Funding is being provided jointly by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

The project will deliver a 20-unit domestic violence refuge, which will be built at the site of the former Christ the King Presentation Convent at Turners’ Cross. It will include refurbishment of the heritage-listed building as well as the construction of a new apartment block.

A further 32 social homes are proposed for delivery on the wider site as part of a subsequent phase of development.

The refuge will also have a shared communal kitchen and living areas, a training room, a children’s playroom, staff and administration spaces, staff overnight accommodation, reception and laundry facilities, and outdoor communal areas.

Construction on the facility is expected to be completed in late 2028.

Cork city was identified as a priority location under ‘Zero Tolerance’, the Government’s third national strategy on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. The strategy aims to expand refuge capacity and safe accommodation nationwide.

Allison Aldred, CEO of Good Shepherd Cork said: “We are delighted to receive this funding approval, which is a very significant milestone in delivering a state-of-the-art Domestic Violence refuge in Cork City, in combination with Cuanlee DV refuge.

“The refuge will provide women and children leaving violent homes with vital, safe, and dignified emergency accommodation with a wide range of practical, social, and therapeutic supports to assist them to move on well from their experience of violence.

“We are committed to ensuring women and children in Cork forced to leave their homes and communities can find safety and live their lives free of violence and abuse,” she said.

Dr Stephanie O’Keefe, CEO of Cuan, said: “This is a significant step forward in truly collaborative efforts to provide safe accommodation and supports for victim-survivors of domestic violence in Cork.”

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.