Refuge centre gets a new lease of life

A REFUGE centre for victims fleeing domestic violence has reopened in Tallaght to offer secure accommodation to women and children facing homelessness.

The Respond! Housing Association recently announced the re-opening of Cuan Álainn following agreement with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and South Dublin County Council.

Originally a refuge for those fleeing domestic violence, Cuan Álainn will be reopened as secure accommodation for women and children who are facing homelessness. 

Cuan Álainn had been built and operated by Respond! since 2012 but closed its doors in December of last year as a sustainable source of funding could not be found at the time. Respond! stated that they had now secured funding for the reopening of Cuan Álainn under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 to provide for those who are assessed as being homeless and referred by the local authority.

Ned Brennan, CEO of Respond!, said Cuan Álainn is a state-of-the-art facility specially designed for women and children.

“We are delighted that doors will soon be reopened to welcome women and children who are homeless and in need of support,” he said. “At the end of March 2016, South Dublin County Council received 296 requests for emergency accommodation, including 103 from families. We are pleased that our facility can go some way to addressing the immediate needs of these families.”

Since its opening, Cuan Álainn provided a safe haven for 71 mothers and 86 children who were forced to leave their own homes as a result of domestic violence.

“Cuan Álainn has 10 specially designed units and families will be supported by qualified staff who will aim to ensure their individual needs will be addressed so that when they leave Cuan Álainn they will do so from a position of strength,” Mr Brennan added. “And most importantly, the move on to tenancy arrangements will be prioritised as quickly as possible. We are currently recruiting support staff for Cuan Álainn and aim to fill the units as quickly as possible.”

Mr Brennan thanked officials from the Department of the Environment, the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and South Dublin County Council for “recognising the value of Cuan Álainn and undertaking to ensure it has a bright future ahead, providing a real safety net for Dublin’s most vulnerable homeless families”. 

Respond! is one of Ireland’s leading housing associations and has provided more than 5,500 units of accommodation nationwide.

Deputy Seán Crowe (SF) described the news that Cuan Álainn will be reopened as “fantastic”. 

“I am informed that Respond! are currently recruiting support staff for Cuan Álainn and aim to fill the units as quickly as possible.

“I am sure that Cuan Álainn’s 10 specially designed units and their fully qualified and qualified staff will ensure that this centre can again be a sanctuary and a place of refuge for children and their mothers in Dublin South West.”