Viva House in Dublin 15 has accommodated 63 women and 112 children since it opened last June.
A spokesperson for Sonas Housing, which runs the refuge, said cuts to the social welfare budget could not come at a worse time.
Sharon Cosgrove said: 'Studies show that in a time of recession domestic abuse, particularly financial abuse, can increase.'
The majority of women accessing the refuge are Irish, followed by Irish Travellers and African women.



















