Laois domestic abuse service gets just 0.6% of €7.7m cash for crime victims

The Laois Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS) s in line for new funding but plans to build a refuge in the county remain at an 'early stage'.

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has announced national funding totalling more than €7.7m for some 70 organisation to support victims of crime. The Laois service is getting is to be €43,775 - less than 1% of the total.

The county continues to lack a shelter for anyone wanting to get out of abusive homes, a situation made worse by the housing shortage.

Laois is one of nine counties earmarked as in urgent need after the murder of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, with a budget of €1.75m to build the centre.

A site in an undisclosed Portlaoise location was bought in 2023 by the council using government funding.

The Leinster Express got an update this week from the Department of Justice on progress in developing the refuge .

“A site has been purchased by Laois County Council, that has been determined as suitable for development of the refuge.

“The Laois Domestic Abuse Service is the lead organisation taking forward the development and is currently engaged in early-stage planning with key stakeholders working towards making an application to the Department of Housing for CAS funding later in 2024.

“A local interagency group is supporting the development, which includes representation from Laois County Council,” a department official said.

Last November the council said that it is “in discussion with both LDAS and the Dept of Housing in relation to the funding and methodology for project management of the build and operation.”

The Laois service helps hundreds of Laois women and children annually.

Much of the €7.7m allocations will go through Cuan, the new agency for domestic, sexual and gender based violence. Services such as One in Four and Rape Crisis Network are getting the largest sums - over €400k each.