Significant progress has been made toward the development of a new domestic violence refuge in Westmeath, with the approval of the Stage 1 funding application under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). The announcement was made jointly by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD and Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan TD, marking a major milestone in the Government’s Zero Tolerance strategy to combat domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.
The proposed facility, led by Athlone Community Services Council (Esker House), will include 12 independent units of refuge accommodation alongside essential ancillary and therapeutic services. Esker House is the primary domestic violence service provider in the county and will continue to work with national agency Cuan, the Housing Agency, and Westmeath County Council to advance the project to its next phase.
Minister Browne described the approval as the tenth refuge project to receive funding under the strategy, noting that the facility will be built to trauma-informed standards with own-door units and therapeutic spaces. “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,” he said.
Minister O’Callaghan emphasised the importance of expanding refuge capacity in Westmeath, calling the development “life-changing for some of our most vulnerable women and children.” He praised the collaborative effort among stakeholders and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to delivering safe accommodation nationwide.
Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan, also welcomed the progress, highlighting the complexity of refuge development and the importance of sustained cooperation. “This is complex and important work, that cannot be achieved without the spirit of collaboration we have seen on this project,” she said.
The project now moves toward Stage 2, where Esker House will submit detailed plans and costings. The Westmeath refuge is part of the Government’s broader goal to double the number of refuge units across Ireland under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
