Press release
Minister McEntee opens Cuan – the new statutory domestic, sexual and gender based violence agency
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee today formally opened Cuan, the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency.
Joined by Minister Roderic O’Gorman and Minister of State James Browne, Minister McEntee also announced the appointment of Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe as Cuan’s CEO, following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
Speaking at the opening, Minister McEntee said:
"Today is a proud day for all who were involved in bringing Cuan to life.
"The establishment of a dedicated statutory DSGBV agency has been a priority of mine and I am confident that Cuan will be the driving force we need to ensure we deliver the initiatives and changes which will get us to a place of zero tolerance across society for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
"In designing and delivering Cuan, Government and NGOs have come together in collaboration and commitment. We have seen all political parties support the legislation to establish it, and we have seen unprecedented understanding and support for this work across society.
"This all happened in the wake of us working in partnership with the sector. We listened to all, including victims and survivors, before drafting the Government Strategy on DSGBV. It reflected the very strong view that, in order to achieve real and lasting change, we needed a focused entity permanently driving a coherent whole of government approach.
"I am delighted that someone of the calibre and experience of Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, will now take on the task of running the agency. Given her extensive experience of nationwide service delivery, building new and robust teams, and driving forward ambitious whole of government priorities, I am confident this leadership is exactly what Cuan needs, in its formative years."
Minister O’Gorman commented:
"As a government, we have placed a clear and committed focus on the issue of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. Today is a milestone in Ireland’s efforts to tackle DSGBV, with the establishment of Cuan providing a dedicated agency to drive policy and ensure that anyone at risk of or experiencing domestic violence can access the support required. I want to wish Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, and her team, the best of luck as they begin their work."
Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne said:
"The importance and timeliness of this new Agency was underlined by the cross-party support the legislation underpinning it received during its passage through the Oireachtas. Its establishment is another significant milestone in supporting victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence – something which has been central to the policies and legislation enacted by the department over recent years.
"I would like to wish Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe the very best as she undertakes the role of CEO of Cuan and I am confident that the Agency will play an important role as we work towards ensuring zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland.”
Dr O’Keeffe said:
"The challenge of leading Cuan and delivering on the Zero tolerance strategy is one I look forward to. We will work to become a driving force, working across Government, with the sector and all stakeholders, to build a national movement towards Zero tolerance for DSGBV in Ireland.
"My work now is to establish our team and the functions of the new Agency, from research and policy co-ordination, to awareness raising and driving delivery of safe and accessible support services including refuge accommodation.
"I would like to thank Minister McEntee for trusting me with a task of such huge importance, and look forward to working with her department, all government departments and agencies and our close partners and stakeholders in the NGO and DSGBV sector."
The establishment of a dedicated statutory DSGBV Agency has been a main priority of Minister McEntee and is a central requirement of delivering on commitments under Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on domestic sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV). Cuan will coordinate and report on delivery of Zero Tolerance and future government strategies relating to DSGBV.
The Agency will also lead on research to inform future DSGBV policy development, working with others such as the CSO.
Cuan will drive delivery of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, which is set to double to 280 units nationwide by the end of 2026. It will also work to raise awareness, and prevent incidences of DSGBV, leading on campaigns aimed at delivering the changes in societal attitudes necessary to achieve ‘Zero Tolerance’, and reducing the incidence of DSGBV as envisioned by the whole of government strategy.
This work will build on recent impactful campaigns delivered by the Department of Justice including on Intimate Image Abuse, the 'No Excuses' campaign [ About the No Excuses campaign ] and the more recently launched Consent campaign ( Let's have the Consent Conversation. ) These campaigns are intended to change societal attitudes but also to encourage victims and survivors to seek help from the supports available.
The Agency will also be focused on maximising the effectiveness of supports and services for victims and survivors of DSGBV across the country. It will be responsible for directly funding DSGBV specific services and for monitoring and supporting those services to adhere to robust standards developed in collaboration with the sector itself.
Cuan brings together staff from Tusla, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Justice to work together more coherently with a specific focus on the provision of DSGBV supports and services.
Much like the partnership approach taken to developing the Zero Tolerance Strategy, the core functions of Cuan were co-designed with the sector. This was done to ensure the Agency has the mandate, responsibilities and supports needed to drive the implementation of the current and future whole-of-government domestic, sexual and gender based violence strategies.
The Agency, which is called Cuan, was established on 1 January 2024 and will work collaboratively with the NGO and domestic, sexual and gender based violence services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.
The agency is tasked with:
The Agency has a budget this year of approximately €59 million. With over €47 million of that dedicated to the provision of supports and services and over €6 million allocated for prevention and awareness raising initiatives.
Following an open competition run by the Public Appointment Service, Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe has been appointed as the first CEO of Cuan for a 5 year term.
Dr O’Keeffe previously worked in the HSE as the National Director of Health and Wellbeing and more recently National Director of Operations Planning. She has over 20 years’ experience of working in the Irish public service, across a number of organisations and, was responsible for delivering Ireland’s first ‘whole-of-government’ population health strategy - Healthy Ireland, while working in the Department of Health. She will be seconded to Cuan for the duration of her five year term as CEO.
In addition to a range of academic qualifications and professional and development achievements, Dr O’Keeffe holds a PhD in psychology and has Diploma and Certificate qualifications from the Institute of Directors Ireland.
In line with good governance and practice, the legislation establishing Cuan provides for a board which will include a chairperson and six ordinary members with experience variously in DSGBV matters, governance/public management, and other matters relevant to the functions of the Agency.
The Board will be appointed by, and report to the Minister for Justice.
An open competition for Board Members was advertised by State Boards and the assessment process with State Boards is ongoing.