Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2014
167. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland from 2015 onwards; when a decision will be made on same; under which section of the Child and Family Agency does this funding decision come; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17069/14]
View answerResponsibility for the funding of the Rape Crisis Centres and Refuges previously funded by the HSE became the responsibility of the new Child and Family Agency upon its establishment on 1st January, 2014. In 2013 the HSE spent over €17 million on the provision of domestic and sexual violence services. This included the funding of 60 services throughout the country comprising:-
- €10m for 20 Crisis Refuges
- Over €4 million for 16 Rape Crisis Centres
- Almost €3.5 million for 24 Support Services.
Rape Crisis Network of Ireland had a two year service level agreement with the HSE which expired on 31st December, 2013, but was extended to 31st March, 2014 to allow for establishment of the Child and Family Agency, the appointment of a Programme Manager for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services and to enable the Agency to tender for future support services to support front-line agencies. The Agency have advised that this contract is now due to be extended, with revised conditions to the end of 2014.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services are managed within the office of the Chief Executive of the Child and Family Agency. The Programme Manager for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services in the Agency will work with the Agency Head of Procurement to establish a tender process, due to begin in September, for longer-term provision of support to front-line agencies from 2015. All qualified providers, including the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland , may tender for this new contract.
