Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some €2 million has been provided for victims of crime. That includes victims of domestic and sexual violence. On top of that, an additional €327,000 has been assigned to enabling those organisations to promote their services so that people know they are there. That funding is not intended to enable them to carry out the services. As the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs outlined, he has secured an additional €61 million for Tusla, which funds many of the services that provide the support. Much of the funding from my Department is devoted to making people aware of the services. A significant amount comes from Deputy O'Gorman's Department.

Moreover, this is not just about funding. The fact that the courts have remained open throughout the pandemic is extremely important. I refer to a very important element of progress. The Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020, which I passed in the summer, allows people to partake in a court proceedings online. For the first time ever, an online court order has been issued to a woman who is self-isolating through the Ennis district. This is very welcome progress, particularly for those in vulnerable positions.

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