Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 8

Written Answers. - Rape Crisis Centre Funding.

Dick Spring

Question:

54 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the financial assistance his Department will give towards the cost of training programmes conducted by the Rape Crisis Centre for volunteer personnel who wish to train as counsellors in order to provide a voluntary service at various points throughout the country.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I recognise the valuable contribution made by all the rape crisis centres in the counselling of victims of rape and sexual abuse.

In this instance I presume the Deputy is referring specifically to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

A service and finance review of the centre was recently undertaken by the Eastern Health Board and completed on 14 October 1991. The review acknowledged the substantial commitment the centre had to educate and train both health professionals and voluntary organisations on a national scale. In the case of volunteer personnel the centre has designed an education programme for persons to whom children and young people may disclose sexual abuse or who may come in contact with children who are abused.

A sum of £25,000 has been allocated through the Eastern Health Board specifically for the purposes of continuing the important role of the centre's education department in 1992. This amount is separate from a sum of £127,000 already allocated towards supporting the continued operation of the centre's other activities in 1992.