Long-awaited women’s refuge for Carlow gets another step closer
Pictured at a briefing to launch Amber's Strategic Plan 2025 - 2029 Minister Jennifer Murnane-O'Connor, Ken Byrne, chairperson Amber, deputy Peter Chap Cleere TD, Lisa Morris, manager Amber, deputy John McGuinness, Jean Murphy, assistant manager of Amber and deputy Natasha Newsome-Drennan
THE LONG-AWAITED opening of a women’s refuge for Carlow took another decisive step forward last week, but it may take almost two years before the ten-unit facility will be up and running.
In 2023, Amber Women’s Refuge CLG was appointed by Tusla and the Department of Justice as the specialist domestic abuse service to manage a new standalone refuge in Carlow. Following a rigorous site selection and feasibility process, in close collaboration with Carlow County Council, the Housing Agency and Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, a preferred site for the new refuge was identified at the former Monastery Hostel, Old Dublin Road, Carlow.
Last week, Amber launched its Strategic Plan 2025-29, detailing how the organisation plans to grow and evolve its refuge and community-based services across Carlow and Kilkenny over the next five years. Central to the plan was a roadmap for Amber’s expansion with the development of the new ten-unit women’s refuge in Carlow town.
Having identified the Dublin Road site, Amber prepared a ‘Stage 1’ application under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS 1) for the site’s redevelopment in autumn 2024.
Amber confirmed that it had recently received notification that its CAS 1 funding application for the development of a new standalone refuge and support services in Carlow has been approved. This approval means that both the project concept and the requirement for the refuge units has been accepted and approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Amber confirmed that this CAS 1 funding approval marks the first in the four-step Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) funding approval process for the development of the new refuge.
In a statement, Amber confirmed that it has been advised by the department that the four-step CAS funding process can take a minimum of 75 weeks from the date of CAS 1 funding approval.
Stage two of the CAS process requires the submission of planning drawings, procurement of consultants, surveys, cost-planning and the preparation of all required technical reports. Amber anticipates the submission will be made this summer.
Stage three of the CAS funding process comprises the official application for planning, while the fourth and final stage is the submission of a full tender for the development of the refuge in accordance with public procurement guidelines.
Subject to stage 4 approval, the tender can then be awarded and work to redevelop the identified site into a ten-unit refuge facility with support services can thereafter begin.
“I’d like to acknowledge the support of the minister for justice and Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, the Department of Housing, the Housing Agency and Carlow County Council for their support to date in the process to establish a domestic violence refuge for women and children in Carlow,” said Lisa Morris, manager of Amber Women’s Refuge.
“We’ll continue to keep relevant stakeholders and the general public informed of new developments as we proceed through the CAS funding approval process.”
