Calls for increased supports for victims of domestic violence – ‘Ireland is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for women’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Victims of domestic violence will not be able to avail of Garda referrals when seeking emergency financial supports despite claims Ireland is becoming “an increasingly dangerous place for women”.

Earlier this year, Sinn Féin councillor for the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Aoife Rose O’Brien called on Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary TD to allow victims of domestic violence “to include referrals from An Garda Siochána” when applying for emergency rent supplement support.

"The absence of this referral may exclude some individuals from this vital emergency support,” she said in a motion which was subsequently passed by Wexford County Council (WCC).

Cllr O’Brien’s motion also requested that referrals from Tusla be utilised in cases where the victim requires urgent access to supports. In its response, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Policy Unit confirmed that Tusla referrals were being used to fast-track claims made by victims of domestic violence.

”Under the protocol, fast-track approval for rent supplement can be provided upon referral by Tusla or by a prescribed Tusla-funded service provider,” it said. “Referrals by Tusla or Tusla-funded service providers continue to be accepted in support of applications for rent supplement for victims of domestic violence.”

However, it said referrals from gardaí were not currently considered during applications for financial supports.

“An extension to this protocol allowing for referrals from authorised staff within An Garda Síochána has been considered previously, however it is acknowledged that the role of An Garda Síochána is that of first responder.”

With a 45 per cent increase in the number of domestic violence callouts over the past four years, including 65,000 in 2024 alone, Cllr O’Brien said the unwillingness to allow gardaí to refer victims for financial supports was a massive oversight.

“Ireland is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for women and statistically a woman's home is the most dangerous place for her to be,” she said. “We must do everything in our power to support women facing such incredible trauma and danger and ensure we save as many lives as possible."

"We can see how many victims are calling An Garda Síochána first, so we must include their referral to ensure victims receive holistic, practical support. Domestic violence does not discriminate; we need to ensure every individual in need of this vital, lifesaving support can access it."