Charles Flanagan
Ceist:8 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the resources he intends making available to the many voluntary organisations working in the health area such as rape crisis centres and women's aid.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Funding for Voluntary Organisations.
Helen Keogh
Ceist:16 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health whether he has any plans to provide funding for the Kerry Rape Crisis Centre which has been open since March 1992; if his attention has been drawn to the growing demand for the services which the centre provides and to the centre's need of immediate funding.
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:121 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will provide multi-annual funding to rape crisis centres.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 16 and 121 together.
I am aware of the valuable work being carried out by the many voluntary organisations working in the health area who counsel and provide support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence generally.
Prior to 1991 funding for the rape crisis centres came from a number of sources. This led to uncertainty about the level and source of funding from year to year. In July 1991 the Government decided to fund the rape crisis centres through my Department's allocation and to channel this assistance through the health boards.
In 1992 a total amount of £277,000 was allocated to these organisations, comprising £148,000 funding from health boards and £129,000 from the national lottery. I am allocating an increase of over 90 per cent in national lottery funding for the centres this year relative to 1992. A total of £248,500 will be made available from the national lottery funds this year compared with £129,000 in 1992. This year's financial support will include an allocation of £15,000 through the Southern Health Board in support of services provided by the Kerry Rape Crisis Centre.
I will be circulating to the Deputies a copy of the list of rape crisis centres which will receive national lottery funding this year.
This funding is in addition to that being provided directly by health boards to the centres. Health board grants to the centres amounted to £148,000 last year, bringing total funding for the centres from public funds to £277,000 in 1992. Health boards are currently drawing up their budgets and taking decisions on funding for the rape crisis centres. The 1992 level of health board funding for the centres will at least be maintained in 1993, if not increased. Funding for the rape crisis centres from the health services in 1993 will be £400,000 approximately.
The health boards also provide assistance to a number of bodies which provide services for the victims of family violence. I recently received a report from representatives of the women's refuges and I am currently examining the proposals contained in that report for the development of additional purpose-built refuge accommodation for women and children fleeing from domestic violence.
I thank the Minister for his reply and I am glad to see that the penny has dropped during the past few days. I would remind the Minister of the statement by his colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy O'Dea, last weekend when he said there were no resources available for any increase in funding despite the promises in the Programme for Government and the blow in the budget to many of these groups throughout the country. I put it to the Minister that in this day and age, and having regard to the important function of these bodies, it is ridiculous to expect them to survive by way of cake sales and flag days and that they should receive 100 per cent funding from his Department. It is simply insufficient to await lottery disbursements which may be unreliable, as happened in the past. Would the Minister be prepared to make a commitment to oversee an adequate level of funding to these bodies?
I am committed to the proper development of funding of services for victims of family volence. It is an area that has had priority in my Department for the entire six weeks since I became Minister. I was very happy to be in a position to increase funding by a factor of 90 per cent over last year at a time of very stringent and scarce resources. That underscores the Government's commitment to support for victims of family violence. I await the outcome of the investigation currently underway in the South Eastern Health Board, I will bring the report from the study group before the House at an early date.
A final brief question, please.
In spite of the Minister's announcement there is still a shortfall of between £80,000 and £100,000 to cover the day-to-day running expenses of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. The whole area of prevention of family difficulties is being managed with great success by these bodies. Does he accept that there is a preventive role and function? Does he accept the training and educational role of these bodies? Rather than allow these bodies maintain their service by way of fire brigade action would he consider recognising these groups statutorily, since the State has been unable to cater for them during the past number of years?
In relation to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, I am pleased to have increased their grant by £52,500 from £25,000 last year, making a total grant of £77,500 this year. I have discussed this with representatives of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre this week and they are satisfied that we have advanced well beyond any contribution previously made. I intend to have ongoing disucssions with all those involved in support groups for victims of family violence to see how services can be further improved. Their input is recognised. In fact there was a meeting in my Department this morning to see how best progress can be made.
They still have to resort to concerts and cake sales.
Let us have a reply to the remaining Priority Question, No. 9. If Question No. 9 is to be disposed of it must be responded to now.