Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rape Crisis Centres.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

214 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he has not agreed to make sufficient funds available to the network of rape crisis centres in order that they can provide the service throughout the country, in view of the fact that the total amount of funding received for 16 centres is £1 million and the total amount needed to provide an adequate service is £3.3 million; if he will arrange in his Budget for 2001 to make this amount of money available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29377/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The national network of rape crisis centres co-ordinates the activities of rape crisis centres throughout the country and is not involved in direct service provision. The regional health boards are responsible for funding individual rape crisis centres in respect of services which they provide. I have made additional funding available to the network of rape crisis centres for 2001 to allow it to continue its important work. I have also made substantial additional funding available to the health boards for 2001 for women victims of violence and this will result in a considerable increase in funding for rape crisis centres throughout the country.