Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Written Answers. - Cork Domestic Violence Projects.

Michael Woods

Question:

60 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Health if he will recognise as a national pilot project the domestic violence project being conducted (details supplied) at the Cork Marriage Counselling Centre, which is pioneering the development of a suitable treatment programme for violent men; and if he will consider financially supporting this important project. [14346/96]

Joe Walsh

Question:

108 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate funds to the Cork Domestic Violence Project in support of its interagency pilot domestic violence treatment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14290/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. Currie)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 108 together.

I am aware of the work of the Domestic Violence Project being conducted at the Cork Marriage Counselling Centre in the treatment of violent men and in providing support for their abused partners and children. The Southern Health Board provides an annual grant of £10,000 to this project in support of this work.

I have been considering for some time now, from a health services point of view, how best to make progress in relation to this whole issue of domestic violence. I recognise that the provision of emergency refuge accommodation and other family support services, while necessary, deals only with the symptoms of domestic violence and does not confront the issue of violence itself. This is a more complex issue and one which no one Government Department or Agency can tackle in isolation. The nature of the problem calls for a wide ranging interagency and interdisciplinary approach.

I am also, of course, conscious of the fact that the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 came into force in March last. I feel it would be important to monitor the effect of the implementation of this legislation before coming to any firm conclusions with regard to the planning of future developments on the health side for victims of domestic violence.

In view of the multi-faceted dimension to the issue of domestic violence, the Government has decided that action to deal with the problem of violence against women should be co-ordinated across all relevant Departments and arrangements are being finalised in this regard.