County Louth is set to receive more than €221,000 in funding to expand domestic, sexual and gender based violence services, with the investment described as a significant boost for local support.
Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan welcomed the allocation, saying it comes at a critical time as demand for these services continues to rise. More than 1,600 reports of domestic violence were made nationally during Christmas week last year, highlighting the pressure on frontline organisations.
The funding for Louth forms part of a wider national package of €3.2 million being distributed to 67 services across the country. The money will support service expansion, improve access to supports and strengthen the capacity of organisations responding to domestic and sexual violence.
In Louth, the following services will benefit from the funding:
• €21,325 for Dignity 4 Patients
• €92,307 for Drogheda Women’s Refuge
• €700 for Dundalk Counselling Service
• €106,817 for Rape Crisis North East
The funding will help expand counselling services, improve access to domestic and sexual violence supports and enhance the ability of national helplines and local services to respond to growing demand.
Commenting on the announcement, Deputy McGreehan said domestic, sexual and gender based violence has no place in society, yet many people continue to suffer in silence.
She said the funding will ensure more support is available locally as awareness increases and more people come forward for help. She added that it is essential services have the resources needed to meet demand and deliver timely, effective support.
Deputy McGreehan also stressed that a zero tolerance approach to domestic and gender based violence must be backed up by strong, well resourced services. She said people need to know help is available and that they do not have to face abuse or violence alone.
The funding was allocated following a targeted call by Cuan, the national agency for domestic, sexual and gender based violence, which opened in July and closed in August 2025. The funding supports a range of priorities including expanding adolescent counselling for sexual violence, improving access for marginalised and underserved groups, strengthening helplines and frontline training, and developing prevention work including perpetrator programmes.
Nationally, almost half of the funding has been allocated to domestic violence services, with a further 42 per cent directed towards sexual violence services. Additional funding has been provided for perpetrator programmes and once off in year support.
The allocation forms part of the €67 million provided to Cuan under Budget 2025, which also included additional funding for new refuge provision, expanded services and sectoral research.
