Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
690. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37131/20]
View answer732. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the additional ring-fenced funding to be provided by his Department to domestic violence services in budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to the shadow pandemic of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36345/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 732 together.
Budget 2021 provides an allocation of €175,000 for initiatives for victims of domestic violence and the LGBTI community. From this allocation, €50,000 will be provided for on-line training programmes for health care professionals responding to victims of domestic violence.
The HSE Social Inclusion Division provide support and training to health and community service providers to ensure that all families experiencing, or at risk of experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, or both, will receive supports when they access a health service.
This training programme will help create a consistent, appropriate and culturally competent response to persons presenting to health services as a result of domestic and gender-based violence. The training will ensure staff respond appropriately and are able to make referrals, as required, to a specialist service, where victims are supported to make changes in their lives at a pace that suits their situation.
As minister for public health, I am happy to support health and community service providers to respond to domestic violence, especially given the increased risk during Covid-19.
