Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2013
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in conjunction with his EU colleagues, the progress made in recent years with regard to tackling incidents of domestic violence within the jurisdiction, with particular reference to the growth in demand for NGOs to provide services to women and children experiencing domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32667/13]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that one of the achievements of the Irish EU Presidency was securing the agreement on an EU Regulation on mutual recognition of protection measures in civil matters. The Regulation provides the legal framework under which a protection order, such as a barring or safety order, obtained by a victim of domestic violence in one EU Member State can be recognised and enforceable in other EU Member States. The measure will enable victims of domestic violence to travel around Europe or to relocate to another EU Member State in safety, without having to go through additional court processes in other Member States.
Cosc, The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, which is an Executive Office in my Department, is working through the National Strategy on this topic with other Government Departments, state agencies and NGOs to support a "whole of Government" response to these issues.
The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime provides some funding to NGOs working to provide services to women and children to support their court accompaniment services. Some €450,000 was given to these NGOs in 2011 and 3,147 victims were helped, while in 2012 the Commission provided just over €440,000 and 3,276 victims were helped. This shows a year on year increase of 4% in the number of victims helped.
However, I am informed that in 2012 approximately €16.1m in funding of NGOs working to provide services to women and children experiencing domestic violence was provided by the HSE (Children and Families Service), working under the aegis of the Department of Health. This work is expected to be transferred to the Child and Family Support Agency on its establishment. I understand that the new agency will report directly to my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
