Ministers Browne and O’Callaghan welcome significant progress in delivering refuge facility in Westmeath
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From: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
- Published on: 28 October 2025
- Last updated on: 28 October 2025
New domestic violence refuge facility to include 12 units of refuge accommodation alongside essential ancillary services
Minister James Browne has approved first stage of funding application by Athlone Community Services Council (Esker House) successfully as part of the Capital Assistance Scheme process (‘CAS1’)
Esker House will continue to work with Cuan and other stakeholders, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency, and local government on next steps
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, have today announced that a funding application for the development of a domestic violence refuge in Westmeath has successfully passed the first stage.
Westmeath is a priority area for refuge development under the government’s Zero Tolerance strategy. The Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence aims to double the number of refuge units and safe accommodation across the country.
The funding application was made by Esker House to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Capital Assistance Scheme.
With the stage 1 Application now approved, Esker House is working towards submitting its Stage 2 application, which will include further detail and costings on the full extent of works that will be needed.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said:
“I am delighted to announce my department has approved the CAS Stage 1 capital funding proposal for Athlone Community Services Council, in collaboration with Esker House Domestic Abuse Service, to develop a 12 unit domestic violence refuge facility in Westmeath. This refuge is the tenth domestic violence refuge approved for funding by my Department under Zero Tolerance and will be developed with the same trauma informed design and inclusion of therapeutic spaces and own door residential units which now form the standard for DV refuge provision in Ireland.
“This approval is further indication that the cross governmental processes engaged in by my department, the Department of Justice, Cuan, The Housing Agency, and local authorities are providing a clear path to refuge development at scale.”
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD said:
“Increasing refuge capacity in Westmeath has been a key focus of the government’s Zero Tolerance strategy.
“Today marks an important milestone, and is testament to the strong partnership and cooperation between Esker House, Cuan, the Housing Agency, Westmeath County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and my own department. It is this sustained effort that has brought the project to this important juncture, and will guide it towards delivery.
“The accommodation units and support facilities planned for Westmeath will be life changing for some of our most vulnerable women and children.”
Athlone Community Services Council (Esker House) is the primary domestic violence service provider in the county. This new refuge facility will include 12 independent units of refuge accommodation, along with essential ancillary services.
Cuan, the national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, has been working with Esker House and various stakeholders, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency, and Westmeath County Council, to facilitate the site selection process and resultant application process.
Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan said:
“I’d like to recognise the work of Esker House, and the support of the Department of Housing, the Housing Agency, the Department of Justice Home Affairs and Migration and Westmeath County Council. This is complex and important work, that cannot be achieved without the spirit of collaboration we have seen on this project.
“I and all the team here in Cuan look forward to the ongoing progress towards the development of this refuge.”
ENDS
NOTES
Refuge development
Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, was established in 2024. It plays a crucial role in coordinating a capital programme for developing refuges and safe accommodation.
Cuan has collaborated with various stakeholders, including domestic violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Local Authorities to facilitate local action and support service development and delivery of refuges and ancillary services.
Cuan has formed multi-stakeholder inter-agency bodies in 18 priority areas, bringing together local service providers, local authorities, and the housing organisations to expediate progress in this vital work.
Esker House
Athlone Community Services Council (Esker House) is the primary domestic violence service provider in Westmeath, and currently operate a four unit refuge and support service delivering advocacy, accompaniment, outreach, child & adolescent services, training, support & information regarding DSGBV and related services. In 2025 Cuan allocated more than €1m to Esker House for the delivery of this work.
Esker House is the lead provider progressing the development of a new refuge facility for the county as part of the Zero Tolerance strategy. The new refuge facility will include 12 independent units of refuge accommodation, along with essential ancillary services, thereby enhancing the availability of domestic violence support in the region.