Vol. 572 No. 3
361 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the acute funding shortage facing rape crisis centres in County Cork and County Kerry; if he will provide the resources needed to maintain and enhance the services which they provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23010/03]
I presume the Deputy refers to the Cork Rape Crisis Centre and the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. The provision of health and personal social services to victims of sexual violence in Cork and Kerry is a matter in the first instance for the Southern Health Board. My Department has made considerable extra resources available in recent years to the health boards which has led to an increased provision of services to female victims of violence.
Within the framework of the southern regional planning committee on violence against women, the Southern Health Board works closely with the Cork Rape Crisis Centre and the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and provides funding to these two organisations. I understand that the board is in discussion with each centre towards the development of service agreements which will include an examination of funding requirements in 2004.
