Vol. 446 No. 2
8 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to increase the grant from his Department for the women's aid helpline in view of the recent expansion of the service and the continuing problem of domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1625/94]
A grant of £35,000 was allocated to Women's Aid towards the running costs of the national helpline and a research project into the extent of violence against women. This grant was provided from the 1994 special budget allocation for support for voluntary and community groups.
My Department also made £100,000 available from a special budget allocation to women's refuges generally, facilitating the appointment of a national co-ordinator and the first ever national conference of refuges which was held earlier this year. Women's Aid also received a grant of £5,000 from this special allocation.
In recent years the organisation has also received assistance towards the cost of setting up a second stage refuge and mediation training. I am currently in discussions with Women's Aid regarding further assistance in the 1995 budget.
