Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
1201. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is aware that any of the existing Rape Crisis centres have had to reduce services provided as a result of cuts to funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9741/16]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services. Tusla, is providing approximately €20.0m in funding for these services this year. This funding supports some 60 services across the country including:
- 16 Rape Crisis/Sexual Violence services
- 20 Crisis Refuges and support services
- 24 Domestic Violence Support Services
Tusla has established a dedicated national team to support the provision of high quality, accessible services for victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
At all times the Agency’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence are being met in the best way possible and to address issues of equity in access to and outcomes from services.
Tusla recognises the difficult operating environment that repeated funding reductions caused for organisations providing services to victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in recent years. The commitment shown by these organisations, their staff and volunteers in continuing to provide services is acknowledged and valued.
Like all State agencies, Tusla has reviewed the scope to make savings across various areas of expenditure and to ensure that services are developed where possible. It has identified areas where resources need to be provided, and it has also identified areas where available funding can be used to better effect to support service delivery. The key focus has been on ensuring that services are streamlined and rationalised where necessary, with any overlap in service provision and duplication of costs eliminated while doing everything to protect front-line services to children including frontline rape crisis/sexual violence services.
Last year, Tusla maintained funding to all frontline rape crisis/sexual violence services at 2014 levels, and has made a similar commitment to maintain funding at 2015 levels for the current year. Additionally, efforts to support service developments such as outreach services in the northern part of the country have been supported.
Tusla is aware of the continued pressures and challenges for some funded organisations in maintaining service levels. However, Tusla has advised that it is not aware of any recent reductions in services to victims and survivors of sexual violence and is actively engaged with funded sexual violence services in supporting and enhancing service provision.
