Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has expressed his anger at figures released to Sinn Féin by the Department of Justice that show a paltry increase for domestic violence refuge services in Kerry over the past five years.
Teachta Daly said: “This week in the Justice committee I raised the issue of Domestic Violence refuges with the Minister for Justice. She stated that in many counties further funding and state run refuges has to be considered. There was a consensus that the current situation is not meeting the demand.
127 Refusals by ADAPT
“In Kerry, the ADAPT service in Tralee had 127 refusals for space last year relating to approximately 50 individual women.
“These were vulnerable women with and without children, who could have been accommodated if the space was available.
“Adapt also provides 24 hour telephone support and an outreach service, and recently recruited a Domestic Violence Advocacy Worker and secured funding for 12 months for a Well-being Worker.
90 Admissions in 2021
It also has plans to open a Centre for Healing from Coercive Control this summer as it develops a Trauma Informed Response to Violence against Women.
“ADAPT had in excess of 90 admissions in 2021 but only received a €1,000 increase in their funding between 2016 and 2020.
“More funding would allow them to expand their service and ensure nobody in need of their service is turned away,” said Teachta Daly.
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