Carlow one of nine counties with no emergency refuge for victims of domestic violence
New nationwide figures
Carlow is one of nine counties with no emergency refuge accommodation for victims of domestic violence and their children, new figures have revealed.
In a Parliamentary Question, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for the counties that do not have emergency refuge accommodation for victims of domestic violence and their children.
In a written response, Minister Katherine Zappone provided data which revealed that Carlow is one of nine counties with no such service.
The other counties are: Leitrim; Roscommon; Sligo; Cavan; Monaghan; Offaly; Laois and Longford.
"Homelessness in Carlow 2018" found that Carlow women and children fleeing violent homes are accommodated in refuges in Kildare and Dublin, and that "some end up on the streets of Dublin".
The report was commissioned by the Carlow County Development Partnership and written by Dr Brendan O'Keeffe.
Homeless campaigner Peter McVerry says the lack of a women's refuge in Carlow is "scandalous".
The Minister said: "Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has responsibility for the provision of funding, co-ordination and support to 21 organisations which provide emergency refuge and emergency non-refuge accommodation to victims of domestic violence and their children.
"In addition to this, Tusla maintains a domestic violence refuge in South Dublin, which has been temporarily closed for essential refurbishment works.
"This facility is expected to re-open as a domestic violence refuge in Quarter 2 this year.
"In total, 155 family units of emergency accommodation are provided - 145 in emergency domestic violence refuges and 10 in emergency non-refuge accommodation.
"Subject to availability of accommodation, women from counties without emergency accommodation may avail of accommodation in other parts of the country."