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Backround Information:
In 1994 Tallaght Welfare Society became aware of the increase in the number of inquiries to their information service on issues relating to domestic violence. The organisation brought together a number of community workers and local people to form a steering committee to look at the apparent gap in service provision (Tallaght Women’s Refuge Initiative). In 1996, the voluntary committee set up a company limited by guarantee to continue the aims of the group and South West Women’s Refuge Co. Ltd was born. Tireless attempts were made by the group to secure funding to build a purpose built refuge in Tallaght and a number of sites were examined with cooperation from the SDCC but nothing came to fruition.
In 2004, South West Women’s Refuge was reborn as Saoirse Housing Association Ltd, which was affiliated with the Irish Council for Social Housing. In 2005, Saoirse successfully secured an existing 8 unit apartment complex in Tallaght from the South Dublin County Council that could be adapted to use as a refuge without major expense. Funding was secured from the Health Services Executive in 2006 to employ a number of staff including a Refuge Manager.
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