Under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). Tusla is funded from my Department through Vote 40.
My Department does not have a capital budget for this DSGBV. Capital funding for approved housing bodies, including services that provide refuge accommodation for victims of DSGBV, is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In 2021, Tusla allocated €28m in core funding for DSGBV services plus €2m in contingency funding to address challenges arising from Covid-19.
For 2022, I expect Tusla to increase its funding to support DSGBV services and to address the recommendations arising from Tusla’s Accommodation Review. Tusla is currently finalising its annual Business Plan for 2022 in accordance with section 46 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. This will outline proposed activities for the year and the proposed allocation of its financial resources.