The number of distress calls received by refuges for battered women and their children increased by 25 per cent last year, new statistics by the Irish Federation of Women's Refuges show.The new figures also show that the Republic of Ireland falls far short of recommended refuge places per population. In 1975 a British Parliamentary Select Committee estimated that there should be one refuge place per 10,000 population.However, the Republic has only 85 to 90 places for a population of 31/2 million, or 27 per cent of the recommended number of refuge places needed. The federation estimates that if the recommendation is followed there should be at least 350 places in the country.A place is defined as a family space for a woman and her children.Northern Ireland tops the poll in being close to the recommended figure at 71 per cent, with Scotland at 63 per cent, England 43 per cent and Wales 24 per cent.There were 9,177 distress calls to refuges in the Republic in 1996, which increased to 11,400 calls last year. In 1996 932 women and 1,828 children were given emergency accommodation. Last year 1,178 women and 2,259 children were given refuge, a 21 per cent increase in the number of women and 41 per cent in children taken in. The federation represents the 12 women's refuges throughout the country and also has 10 affiliated groups, including Women's Aid. The Department of Health has just announced that it will fund the post of the federation's co-ordinator, which has been held for some time by Ms Margaret Costello.Ms Costello said that at present there were 85 family spaces nationwide. A new refuge had opened in Drogheda, and it was hoped that another would soon open in Castlebar, bringing the number up to 95.Women and their children were given emergency spaces, and most would return home. Some would return to the refuges many times. It was difficult for many women to move on to other places as there would be a lot of obstacles inthe way, such as nowhere to go and no finances.The refuges around the country get funding from the health boards in varying amounts. The refuge in Rathmines is fully funded, but others have had to rely on other funding to maintain their services.