Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government made a number of announcements on International Women's Day on ratifying the Istanbul Convention and related issues. That is welcome and we need delivery on those announcements. My question concerns the six sexual assault treatment units, which treat men and women, aged 14 and over, who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Despite a 20% increase in the number of people seeking treatment in recent years, all of the units are understaffed. We have heard stories of men and women having to go to units elsewhere in the country because the unit closest to them has closed or cannot deal with them. At a minimum, the only such unit in Dublin, at the Rotunda Hospital, should be open 24-7. Are there any plans to improve the badly needed services in these units?

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