Turn Vacant Buildings into Homes for Survivors: Senator Alison Comyn Calls for National Action
Fianna Fáil Senator Alison Comyn has called for vacant town centre buildings to be transformed into safe, supported accommodation for women and children leaving domestic violence refuges.
Speaking following a briefing event at Leinster House, Senator Comyn emphasised that the initiative must extend beyond County Louth and be delivered as a coordinated, cross-party response across all counties. The proposal focuses on “move-on” accommodation, filling a critical gap for families who have escaped abuse but remain stuck in emergency shelters due to a lack of permanent options.
Practical Use of Vacant Spaces
The core of the proposal involves local authorities taking long-term leases on vacant properties, particularly unused upper floors in town centre buildings, and refurbishing them into secure family homes. Senator Comyn raised the issue in the Seanad today with the Department of Housing and will engage the Department of Justice tomorrow to call for joined-up thinking across government departments.
Support from Louth Frontline Leaders
Senator Comyn was joined at the Leinster House event by key stakeholders from Louth, including **Susan Keogh**, CEO of Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge, and **Ann Larkin**, CEO of Women’s Aid Dundalk. Their insights highlight the risk of women being left with impossible choices without proper transition housing.
The briefing was supported by representatives from a wide range of organizations, including the ICA, the Soroptimists, and the Women’s Shed. Senator Comyn noted that the solution works on several levels: it provides safety, relieves pressure on emergency refuges, utilizes vacant buildings, and helps regenerate town centres.
A Call for Political Will
Senator Comyn is advocating for pilot programmes to begin immediately in areas where vacancy and demand align. She believes the expertise already exists within local authorities and domestic violence organizations, and all that is missing is the collective political commitment to act.
