---
title: Deputy Dempsey and Women's Aid welcome recognition of the link between Domestic Violence and Homelessness in new Housing Plan.
description: Deputy Dempsey and Women's Aid welcome recognition of the link between Domestic Violence and Homelessness in new Housing Plan.
---

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# [Deputy Dempsey and Women's Aid welcome recognition of the link between Domestic Violence and Homelessness in new Housing Plan.](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/deputy-dempsey-and-womens-aid-welcome-recognition-of-the-link-between-domestic-violence-and-homelessness-in-new-housing-plan)

 Written by [Aoíbhann De Búrca Quinlavan](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/author/aoíbhann-de-búrca-quinlavan) | 18 November 2025

 

Meath West TD Aisling Dempsey said Fianna Fáil’s housing plan delivers practical supports and real hope for domestic violence survivors.

 

She highlighted that the *"Delivering Homes, Building Communities*" plan addresses a longstanding gap, the lack of safe housing, that often makes leaving abusive situations even harder.

 

A key element of the plan is a new protocol allowing domestic violence survivors to transfer their social housing waiting time to another local authority. 

 

Speaking today, Deputy Dempsey said:

 

“*For the first time, a housing plan fully recognises how closely domestic violence and homelessness are linked and sets out practical steps to respond. *

 

"*This recognition opens up the next step in rebuilding lives. It’s a practical measure, but also one that shows empathy and understanding*.

 

“*We know that a lack of safe housing has made leaving an abusive home an even greater challenge for many. *

* *

*"By putting stronger supports in place and making the system more flexible, this plan gives people a clearer route to safety. *

* *

*"It is exactly the kind of compassionate, practical, grounded approach our housing system needs*.”

 

Ireland's leading domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid noted that this is the first time a Housing Plan has recognised the significant links between domestic violence and homeslessness.

 

Giving "Delivering Homes, Building Communities" a cautious welcome, Women's Aid has said the inclusion of this measure, to transfer previous time spent on a social housing list, was a key priority in its submissions to Minister James Browne TD.

 

According to Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid:

 

“*It is significant that the new Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness explicitly acknowledges domestic violence as a driver of homelessness and goes further than previous plans in addressing this issue.*

 

“*The commitment to developing a protocol with local authorities to ensure survivors can transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list is especially welcome**.”*

 

[View full post](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/deputy-dempsey-and-womens-aid-welcome-recognition-of-the-link-between-domestic-violence-and-homelessness-in-new-housing-plan)

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