Women’s Refuge needs help -Lawlor
WEXFORD County Council has been asked to take the lead in plans to provide a new Women’s Refuge in the town.
The existing refuge in Distillery Road is too small to cater for the growing demand for its services and an application for funding has been submitted to Government with a view to building eight individual units at a new location.
However, Cllr. George Lawlor told a Borough District meeting he understood the project is at a standstill.
‘Can the Council take the lead on this in terms of advising and bringing the board there along,’ said the Labour councillor who described the services provided by the refuge as ‘fabulous’.
‘Can we look after this and take the lead as much as we can. We need to get this over the line and we need to give people in the women’s refuge every support we can to ensure this capital project is facilitated,’ he said during a discussion on housing.
‘ The refuge is an essential element in tackling homelessness. Whatever support and advice can be offered it should be done as a matter of urgency.’
Housing Officer Niall McCabe said the Council has helped the Women’s Refuge on a number of occasions and has offered to meet again when they are ready.
‘Can we take the lead on this and go the extra mile if we need to,’ asked Cllr. Lawlor.
The Housing Officer said he appreciated it was an essential service. ‘We are here to give them whatever advice they need but not to take the absolute lead, We have other associations and we would have to do the same for everyone.’
‘It seems to be in a logjam at the moment,’ said Cllr. Lawlor.