Tá buíochas liom freisin leis an Ceann Comhairle cead a thabhart dom an abhar seo a phlé sa Dáil.
The Clare Haven House Project is a voluntary organisation set up to provide accommodation, information and support to women and children who are being physically, emotionally and sexually abused in their homes.
The project workers have sought funding from the Minister through the Mid-Western Health Board over a number of years. In the first year they wish to provide their current services as well as a public office, advice visits, workshops and one permanent member of staff. The amount requested for that year is £41,700. In 1995 the project was allocated £5,000 through lottery funding by the Mid-Western Health Board, but from the start of 1996 to date no money has been provided. The women involved are devoting a great deal of their time to setting up this important service and they cannot continue to provide the service from voluntary contributions.
In case anybody might think that there is not a need for the service being provided, it is interesting to consider the relevant figures for County Clare. In 1993-94 50 protection orders and 81 barring orders were granted in the county, in 1994-95 56 protection orders and 79 barring orders were granted and from 1996 to date 51 protection orders and 60 barring orders were granted and eight new safety orders have been put in place under the recent legislation.
Despite the alarmingly high numbers of orders granted, it is estimated that no more than 10 per cent of women in abusive relationships go to court. In September 1996 20 women sought the support of Clare Haven House and the need for it has been clearly established. The cost of funding it are substantial and there are many claims on the Minister's resources, but the project workers have put forward an excellent submission for the funding required to the Mid-Western Health Board, which presumably it will pass on to the Minister.
Services of this nature were not available to women in County Clare until 1993 when the project workers got together and set up Clare Haven House. The work being done on a voluntary basis by these women is extraordinarily successful. Unfortunately it is necessary and requires State support. At a time when wrong signals have been sent out to vulnerable women from this House, I urge the Minister to carefully consider their case for funding and deal with it in accordance with the resources available to him. Since a major part of the project is the provision of a safe refuge for a number of women and children, he should ensure that sufficient funding is made available to enable that project develop in an effective manner.