A domestic abuse refuge for Laois moves one slow step closer

Laois has moved another step closer to opening a domestic abuse shelter for families fleeing violence.

The county is one of nine in Ireland without a safe refuge for women and children escaping abusive partners and fathers.

A property was bought in November 2023 in Portlaoise by Laois County Council on behalf of Laois Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS). Its exact location cannot be made public to protect its vulnerable future residents.

LDAS does have an office in Portlaoise where it gives advice and support. Read their advice to abused women

The property site was however deemed to be too small for the needs of a Laois centre, leaving the project stalled.

An update came at the March 2025 meeting of Laois County Council, following a motion by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

It states that the site is now accepted as being big enough.

Another stumbling block still stands in the way, however.

Director of Services Donal Brennan explained what has to happen before they can apply for money to rebuild the premises.

"In order to advance the development of a refuge, LDAS are required to partner with an Approved Housing Body (AHB). Once that partnership is established, Laois County Council will support an application to the Department of Housing, under the Capital Assistance Scheme.

"The acquired site is currently accepted as sufficient for the project to proceed.

"The council is acutely aware of the urgent need for the delivery of a refuge within Laois and continues to work closely with LDAS, the housing agency, CUAN (Department of Justice) and the Department of Housing on plans to construct a refuge, includding advice on funding such as the development through the Dept 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," Mr Brennan stated.

Cllr Dwane Stanley said "I welcome this at last".

"We have a facility purchased since 2023, and when we bought it I was absolutely delighted, we have been lobbying for this for years. We have victims of domestic violence who have to leave the county, children who are taken away from their schools, doctors, families, friends. 

"Initially a view was that this site might not be big enough but I know there is a new design now and the site is adequate.

"This needs to happen. The committee has to sign up with a housing body. The council has done their part. We don't have any council representatives on the board of directors of LDAS, but down through the years we had. It's important that we should have representatives," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

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Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald seconded the motion.

"I'm just disappointed that it's taking so long, when you see that LDAS has not formed that partnership yet. It's a vital service. I thing we can go back in a few months and ask again about progress," she said.

The Director of Services Simon Walton said the council is waiting for the partnership to be formed so they can again offer help.

"This falls to LDAS to partner with an AHB. Once that progresses, it will be supported on an ongoing basis by Laois County Council," he said.

"At least it's going in the right direction," the Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy Buggy said.

Laois Domestic Abuse Centre does not work with men who have suffered domestic abuse. Men subjected to domestic abuse can contact Men's Aid Ireland on their National Confidential Helpline  – 01 554 3811 

See more about Laois Domestic Abuse Service.