Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ferris for raising this very important issue. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne.

The Tralee Women's Resource Centre is a drop-in centre funded by the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It had a dedicated support worker for violence against women. The brief for the centre is to support and inform women of their entitlements and lobby and campaign on issues affecting women while also establishing networks between the existing women's groups in the area. The centre has made an important contribution to the provision of services for women in Tralee and the surrounding areas. It has also supported the development of groups which work on behalf of women. Its services have included counselling in situations of crisis pregnancy, support for women affected by domestic and gender-based violence and support for migrant and refugee women.

I understand that the Tralee Women's Resource Centre has decided to cease its services. The board of the centre carried out a review of its operations and concluded that the organisation is no longer as relevant as it once was, so the board made this decision. Increased availability of a range of services provided by other organisations and increased demands and challenges have resulted in the decision to wind down the services of the women's resource centre. The move from the town centre to a new premises may also have been a factor in the fall in the number of clients using the centre. This is the second reason. I understand that the centre is endeavouring to make alternative arrangements for its users. The HSE has funded the centre to provide a confidential service to women in crisis, involving support, information and listening. The HSE has advised the Department of Health that the decision to close the centre was a matter for the board of the centre, and the HSE fully supports its decision.

The HSE is linking with the organisation to explore alternative arrangements for users of the centre. It can be traumatic and emotional when a centre closes, especially one in existence for over 30 years. I take the Deputy's point on that. It can, however, also be the right decision when taking account of all the circumstances. On behalf of the HSE and the many users of the centre over the years, I pay tribute to the work carried out by the centre. In particular, the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, would like to acknowledge the contribution of the voluntary board of directors of the centre and the staff employed there. I will bring all of the Deputy's concerns back to the Minister of State.

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