Wexford Women's Refuge closure affects the whole region

The closure of the Wexford Women's Refuge will have a detrimental effect upon families across the south east according to a local Sinn Féin representative.  Oisin O' Connell said that the critical shelter in Wexford town, which has been closed by the HSE for the next thirteen weeks in a cost saving venture, is one of only five centres around the south of the country that offer sanctuary to women and children fleeing domestic violence.

"The HSEs assertion that families looking for sanctuary in the closed refuge in Wexford town will be able to seek asylum in one of four other centres across the south of the country is completely false,"  Mr O' Connell said.  "These other centres, like their counterpart in Wexford has been over the past few months, are being overran as it is.  They cannot accommodate all of those needing help in their own areas, yet alone those needing shelter from a Wexford centre that serviced a population of 150,000."

"The closure of the Wexford refuge for thirteen weeks means that those fleeing domestic violence will be left out in the cold, at the mercy of the very pending danger they find themselves in.  They will not get help from other centres that are already overstretched.  This cut amounts to the state abandoning these families."

"Sinn Féin is calling for the immediate reversal of the decision to close the women's refuge.  It's been closed because of an alleged over budget run of €67,000.  What a tiny sum considering how much the government has pumped into bailing out banks and bondholders.  It is brazen cheek to suggest for even a minute that this closure is justified, warranted or rational.  This centre must be reopened now."