Major funding boost for Esker House

Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Service in Athlone is to get an additional €165,000 in funding to recruit a coordinator and support staff, it has been announced.

On Thursday, the day Cuan, the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency was formally opened, the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee announced an extra €6.3m funding for 43 organisations following an open call, including over €165,000 for Esker House, in excess of €108,000 for Roscommon Safelink Ltd and €10,000 for Athlone Rape Crisis Centre.

Senator Aisling Dolan, who welcomed the funding for Roscommon Safelink Ltd, said it will allow the service to recruit a co-ordinator to source refuge places in Roscommon, and a frontline crisis support worker for the county.

In terms of Athlone-based Esker House, she said the grant will allow for the recruitment of a refuge coordinator, cleaner and maintenance worker.

In all, €2.5m of overall total is to address critical needs and emerging demands for domestic violence services, another €2.5 million is for refuge and safe home development, and €1.3m to address critical needs and emerging demands for sexual violence services nationwide.

Other major beneficiaries in the region include over €105,000 for Longford Women's Link, in excess of €36,000 for Tullamore Rape Crisis Centre and another €22,000 for Offaly Domestic Violence Services Support (ODVSS).

Minister McEntee said this additional 6.3 million in funding is testament to this Government’s steadfast commitment to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to supporting the services on the frontline who are supporting victims.

“We know more people are seeking help from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services, and we are determined to ensure that the necessary supports and staffing is there to meet the demands across the country, including for young people and in rural areas.

“The extra 2.5 million for safe accommodation is particularly important, and will help deliver additional refuge spaces in our priority locations,” she explained.The additional funding will be overseen by the new DSGBV agency, Cuan.

Cuan has been allocated a total budget of approximately €59 million for 2024 which represents a record increase in funding for combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. This significant funding will support the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy and will assist Cuan in meeting the needs of victims and survivors of DSGBV around the country.

Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan commented: “This additional funding will help expand services and supports around the country and help address unmet need with a focus on those with additional vulnerabilities or complex needs.”

Welcoming the funding for Roscommon services, Senator Ashling Dolan said: “I very much welcome funding amount of €108,000 from my colleague Minister Helen McEntee for Roscommon Safe Link which is a domestic abuse service.

“We are in dire need of refuge places in the county and I advocated the case for Roscommon with Minister McEntee and during the Seanad legislation debates on the new Cuan Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence agency last November.

“Now this is a first step with funding put in place for Roscommon Safe Link for a co-ordinator who will have a dedicated role to source refuge accommodation. There is also an allocation for a much-needed crisis frontline support worker”

“It is also positive to see funding of €165,000 for Esker House Womens Refuge and Support Service in Athlone which also caters to many women from Roscommon and Galway as well as Westmeath. This will support the recruitment of a refuge co-ordinator, cleaner & maintenance worker”.

“Even last week, I was stopped on my way by a woman whose sister was in an extremely difficult situation and had endured abuse the night before from a partner. She was distraught at what was happening to someone in her family. However we all know of a friend of a friend and this happens to women and men no matter their background, age young or old or whether you live in a large town or a small village.

“At times like this it’s hard to know what to say or how to help a friend or family when they make a call for help. People can contact Roscommon Safe Link for advice and help on 071 9664200 or on info@roscommonsafelink.ie .

"Esker House in Athlone has a 24 hour service on 090 64 74122.Womens Aid 1800 341 900 is a 24 hour national freephone helpline and anyone can call for advice on how to assist or even simply what to say in these traumatic situations. Going to a GP who can talk and advise is also important,” Senator Dolan said.

“For anyone who is enduring this type of intimidation or coercion where every move is monitored, please know that you are not alone and that there is help and support. All Gardaí receive training on how to manage these situations and can assist you. Refuge places allow you some time outside of the home and to take you and your children away from a violent situation,” she said.

Senator Dolan said the establishement of Cuan and funding it was an absolute key priority for Minister McEntee.

“I have worked with Minister McEntee to ensure funding for rural areas and small towns. Cuan will drive delivery of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, which is set to double to 280 units nationwide by the end of 2026.

“This funding from Cuan is crucial to supporting refuge accommodation so women and girls of all ages have a safe place where they are protected from harm. The role of this brand new agency is on research and policy co-ordination, to awareness raising and driving delivery of safe and accessible support services including refuge accommodation,” ended Senator Ashling Dolan.