Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:102 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure increased funding to the Tralee Rape Crisis Centre, County Kerry in 1997. [3569/97]
Written Answers. - Rape Crisis Centre Funding.
Limerick East): In line with a recommendation of the Second Commission on the Status of Women, arrangements have been put in place to ensure that secure multi-annual funding is provided through the health boards to rape crisis and sexual abuse counselling centres-services nation-wide. These arrangements are intended to assist in the establishment of close liaison between the centres and the health boards, thus resulting in the provision of a more comprehensive service to the victims of rape and sexual abuse.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Government has assigned responsibility for coordinating policy on women and violence across Government Departments to the office of the Tánaiste. The office has established a working group on violence against women chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Fitzgerald, on which both the Department of Health and the health boards are represented. The working group is due to report to the Government by the end of this month.
As evidence of my support for the work of the group, I will make £0.5 million revenue available in 1997 to implement its recommendations as far as the health and personal social services are concerned. I also hope to contribute £0.25 million capital moneys in this area. The needs of Tralee Rape Crisis Centre will be considered in this context.