Offaly safe houses now up and running

Three 'safe houses' for victims of domestic violence in Offaly have come on stream after a three-way funding partnership between Offaly County Council, Oaklee Housing and Cuan, the newly-established statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

Housing Officer with Offaly County Council Monica Cleary confirmed to the February meeting of the council last week that safe houses have been “successfully delivered” in the county and that the child and family agency, Tusla, has provided funding for a support worker. She also pledged to continue working “very closely” with Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) in delivering the government strategy in relation to victims of domestic violence.

CEO of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service,Anne Clarke has hailed the provision of three safe houses across the county as “a very positive step in the right direction” but added that there is still “an urgent need” for an emergency refuge centre in the county.

“For the first time since ODVSS was founded nearly 30 years ago, we now have three safe houses where families who are at medium to low risk can avail of temporary accommodation for up to 16 weeks while they assess their next move” she said “and the facilities are open to both male and female victims of domestic violence and their families.”

Ms Clarke described the three-way funding partnership which was entered into in order to establish the safe houses as “seamless” and paid tribute to everyone involved in the project. She also paid tribute to the work undertaken by Project Support Worker, Lisa Troy, to ensure the bid to establish three safe houses in Offaly was successful.

Meanwhile, the safe houses project in Offaly has been nominated for the Chartered Institute of Housing All-Ireland Housing awards, under the 'Working in Partnership' category. The awards ceremony will take place in the Round Room in Dublin's Mansion House on Thursday, March 14 next.