A local councillor says there are few places to turn to at the moment.
Offaly County Council is exploring the possibility of increasing the number of units designated as safe houses for victims of domestic abuse.
Currently, Esker Home Refuge has four units, catering for an area of the midlands with 300,000 inhabitants.
The local authority's housing plan has a target of building or purchasing 400 units over the next three years.
Under the proposal, 1% of those would be earmarked for domestic violence services.
Independent councillor John Leahy, who is behind the idea, says there are few places for people to turn to at the moment:
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