Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
410. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of increase in funding in order to respond to increased demand in domestic violence services due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60143/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI prioritised resources for Tusla in the Budget for 2021, so that it is meeting the needs of victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV). This is particularly important in the context of COVID-19. Tusla designated services for victims of DSGBV as one of the Agency's top three priority service areas during the pandemic.
My Department is providing Tusla with core funding of €30 million in 2021 to fund DSGBV services. This includes a €2.7 million increase in core services, bringing core service provision to €28 million, with an additional €2 million of one-off contingency funding being made available to help services cope with the ongoing effects of COVID-19.
In Budget 2022, Tusla's allocation has increased by an additional €41 million. I have directed Tusla to use part of these additional resources to maintain supports for DSGBV services and address the recommendations arising from Tusla’s Accommodation Review of refuge provision.
I have issued my Performance Statement to Tusla outlining the overall parameters of Tusla's financial resources, and signalling my priorities for the coming year. In response to this, Tusla will prepare its annual Business Plan for 2022 in accordance with section 46 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. This outlines the proposed activities for the year and the details of the proposed allocation of total financial resources.
