Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2005
176 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will seek additional funding for rape and sexual assault services, such as rape crisis centres and specialised sexual assault units which are usually located in hospitals, in view of the recent rise recorded in cases of rape and serious sexual assault; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4696/05]
View answer177 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number and location of rape crisis centres and specialised sexual assault units throughout Ireland; if she will consider the establishment of more rape crisis centres and specialised sexual assault units which are usually located in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4699/05]
View answer188 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the level of funding allocated to rape crisis centres in each of the past five years; if funding has been increased relative to the expanded services now being offered and the increased number of persons availing of services; her policy in this area and the way in which she intends to deal with the funding deficit and general funding for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4528/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 177 and 188 together.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for services to victims of abuse. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's primary, community and continuing care area to investigate some of the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputies.
In the past, my Department did not directly fund or co-ordinate health and personal social services to victims of abuse. Moneys were made available each year, formerly through the health boards, and now through the Health Service Executive, for the provision of services to women victims of violence. In recent years, funding has increased substantially; more than €12 million is now provided annually for the provision of such services. It is now a matter for the Health Service Executive to resource the provision of these services.
The national steering committee on violence against women recommended the need for additional sexual assault units should be examined by the Department of Health and Children. I have established a committee under the chairmanship of a senior official of the Department to consider the matter. The committee will be representative of the relevant statutory, voluntary and professional interests and will report to me and to the national steering committee as soon as possible.
178 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the long delays being experienced by persons in the north west in securing appointments with a neurologist in specialist centres; the plans there are to deal with the lack of service, even on a cross-Border basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4514/05]
View answerThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of neurology services. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy. Last December my Department provided additional revenue funding of €200,000 to the North Western Health Board for the development of neurology services.
179 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be called for a mammogram; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4515/05]
View answerThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the issues raised by the Deputy. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
