Shock as Laois abuse shelter refused for state funding

Another shock setback has hit the delayed plan for a domestic abuse refuge for Laois women and children.

Funding has been turned down for the shelter, a Government decision made before Christmas that has "absolutely disgusted" Laois Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming. State money for the project had been believed to be "no problem".

Dep Fleming got the shock update from Minister for Housing James Browne, following his query at the Dáil.

The Department of Housing has turned down the Sophia approved housing body, for the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) money needed to build it, in an application made through Laois County Council.

Dep Fleming points to the recent Peter McVerry Trust housing financial scandal as a reason.

He spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“I’ve been trying to get this new domestic abuse facility for the women in Laois, behind the scenes all the time and continue to follow it up, both locally with Laois Domestic Abuse, the council and the Department.

“I got the answer on Christmas week, I’m absolutely disgusted with the information. I was stunned. It’s a disgrace.

“It could delay it by months and that’s totally unacceptable. There’s messing going on between the approved housing body and the department, that’s where the problem is.

“After the Peter McVerry Trust, all the housing bodies are under much greater financial scrutiny. The Department is not agreeing to proceed based on the financial arrangements that were in place. I’m going to see if there is some other financial mechanism they can put in place, to continue to work with Sophia. 

“We’ve got to get over this because the women in Laois who are depending on this are the ones losing out. They are the only priority we have in this situation. Whatever is going on between the Department and Sophia, heads have to be knocked together.”

Deputy Fleming said that if a new approved housing body has to be found, it will add “months, but not a year”.

“The department are probably being far more strict and diligent. I don’t know the reason here, but it’s possible that the Department feels Sophia have enough on their plate around the country to handle,” he said.

He said that a meeting was already scheduled to take place in mid January between himself and Laois Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS), which is why he had sought the update.

Minister Browne’s reply to Dep Fleming states that another housing body has to be found.

“A Stage 1 CAS funding application submitted by Laois County Council for the development of a Domestic Violence Refuge in Portlaoise cannot be approved by my Department at this time. Unfortunately, the Approved Housing Body identified to bring the project forward is currently unable to meet essential funding criteria. The decision not to approve the application was notified to Laois County Council on 27 November last.

"I understand Cuan, the State agency for Domestic, Sexual, and Gender Based Violence and Laois County Council are working with Laois Domestic Abuse Service to identify a new Approved Housing Body partner to advance this project. I expect a new CAS funding application to be submitted as a matter of urgency when this process is complete,” Minister Browne said.

Laois still has no shelter for families trying to escape abuse in the home, nearly four years since TUSLA listed it as a priority.

It is now over two years since a property was bought in Portlaoise for €1.75m in taxpayers’ money by Laois County Council on behalf of LDAS to be turned into a refuge.  

A listed building with protected architectural status, it has sat idle since. For a time the garden was considered to be too small to build the units and more land was sought behind it by LDAS, with that idea later scrapped.

LDAS recently confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that they have partnered with Sophia to drive the project on.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald believes it was the wrong site to buy. She gave her reaction to the latest delay.

“I am shocked and very disappointed. I will be following this up. This is an essential service. We want somewhere local for families to go so children can stay in their schools and clubs,” she said.

She wants seats reserved for two councillors again on the board of LDAS, which used to be filled by herself and former councillor Mary Sweeney.

Read next: Woman airlifted to hospital after attack by pitbull dog

“I don’t mind what person fills them but we should be represented to get information”.

Laois Domestic Abuse Service has an office in Portlaoise offering multiple other supports to abused women and children.

Laois County Council and CUAN gave responses to the decision.

"In June 2025, Laois County Council submitted a Capital Assistance Scheme Application to the Department of Housing. The Application was submitted by the Council for Sophia Housing Association, operating in partnership with the Laois Domestic Abuse Service.

"On 28^th November 2025, Laois County Council was notified that the application was unsuccessful. Further details on the reasons for refusal can be directed to Laois Domestic Abuse Service and/or Sophia Housing Association.

"Laois County Council continues to support the development of domestic abuse services in County Laois and the Council will support a new application for CAS funding, once such an application is provided to the Council," Director of Services Simon Walton said.

A spokesperson for CUAN say that the issue regarding the Laois domestic abuse centre is "a complex one" and a detailed response will be given to the Leinster Express after the holidays.

The Leinster Express had also asked for responses from Sophia housing and from Laois Domestic Abuse Service.