Dr. Maeve Eogan:

The funding of the sexual assault units comes through the HSE. However, it must be said that each unit is very much supported by the hospital in which it is situated as well. For example, my unit in the Rotunda Hospital is financially bankrolled by the Rotunda. The funding the hospital receives from the HSE would be inadequate to fund the unit as it currently operates. The same applies to all the units throughout the country.

Ultimately, although my unit sees 700 patients per year, I work in a hospital that delivers almost 9,000 babies. Committee members can imagine that it can be difficult to make the case for something that only provides care for 700 people in the year, albeit important care, when that service is in conflict with a health service that is subject to extraordinary demand. There is not enough funding.