James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following a review, Tusla considers that there is scope for a more co-ordinated and equitable provision of sexual and domestic violence services across the country. It seeks to address any identified gaps in services, avoid duplication and support effective delivery. It is in this context that Tusla has decided to cease funding for Rape Crisis Network Ireland, RCNI, and to take direct responsibility for the development and maintenance of a database of information recorded on behalf of the rape crisis centres. Tusla will create a comprehensive national dataset, including information from all funded sexual violence services.

Tusla was concerned that the existing database did not capture information from all 16 rape crisis centres, as only 11 centres are affiliated to the network. In order to plan properly for the future, Tusla needs access to complete and reliable information, and it did not always have timely access to the data collected by RCNI. Consequently, Tusla decided to establish a comprehensive data system that best meets the current and future data needs of a developing service. I am very mindful of the importance of comprehensive and timely national data for planning the delivery of these services and evaluating outcomes. I have raised with Tusla the need for an improvement in the quality of data as a priority for 2015. I support Tusla’s efforts to address shortfalls in this area.

In 2015, Tusla is funding 60 non-statutory specialist domestic violence and sexual violence services, including 44 domestic violence services and 16 sexual violence and rape crisis services. These will provide information to Tusla on the services they provide, including those provided to survivors of sexual violence. This information is critically important as Tusla continues to reform services to ensure we provide the best possible response to survivors of sexual violence. I want to emphasise that in my discussions this year with Tusla I asked that particular priority be given to protecting front-line services. In this context, I am pleased that funding for the 16 rape crisis centres nationwide, which provide services directly to rape survivors, has been protected in 2015, with funding of almost €4 million allocated to them.

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