Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, for coming to the House to listen to my concerns regarding the future of the Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse. The service, which helps very vulnerable people, was recently informed by Tusla that it will not receive further funding from the end of June and now faces closure. I ask the Minister to intervene to protect funding for this valuable service.

I will give one example of an experience shared by a domestic abuse victim. She writes:

My moment of truth came when I saw my two young children hiding under the kitchen table during an "argument" with their father. I remember seeing four little frightened eyes peering out from under the table and in that moment I realised that this wasn't just about me. It was damaging the children as well.

On 7 May last, Ms Foley received a stark letter from Tusla in which the organisation informed her, without consultation, that it would cease funding the service she provides at the end of June. This abrupt notification is unacceptable, as was the ruthless manner in which Ms Foley was given a month's notice to shut down the service she provides. She is suddenly faced with having her meagre funding of €49,000 per annum withdrawn.

I want to inform the Minister today that this service provides a holistic service for those, primarily women, who are suffering from domestic violence.

The Minister should remember too that this is also Ms Foley's job. She has children and a mortgage and effectively, she has been told by Tusla that her job is gone. I would like to know where the €49,000 is going and who is going to look after Ms Foley's clients.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the opportunity to also contribute to this debate and thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important issue.

It is an understatement to say that I am shocked and horrified by the cuts announced by Tusla in the most recent past. Groups which provide support to the most vulnerable members of the community, who at a particular time in their lives need State intervention and support, are receiving savage cuts.

I am not surprised that Tusla had to bring about these cuts because its CEO, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, is on record as saying that he needed an additional €18 million to ensure the day-to-day running of Tusla and to stand still. Unfortunately, the Minister was not able to secure an adequate budget to ensure that Tusla could maintain the services that it provides.

My constituency colleague has highlighted the invaluable work that is being carried out here by Ms Foley in the Westmeath Support Services Against Domestic Abuse. Last year alone, this lady and this group supported 190 women. She has received endorsement of the Garda, the legal profession, social services, the local authority and even the local judge. Judge Hughes, last year, from the court poor box, gave Ms Foley an additional sum of money because he acknowledges the invaluable work that she has done for 16 years. Then, simply out of the blue, she received a letter pulling the rug from under her feet and from under the feet of the hundreds who used the service for the past 16 years.

Yesterday, Ms Foley came and visited me in my clinic with a person who, thankfully, today is still with us because of the intervention of Ms Foley and because of the support of this service.

The Minister should not worry about the clock being talked down.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of that. I will deal with that.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister seems more interested in the time being up than listening to the concerns and the ramifications of the policy decisions that the Government has taken in relation to vulnerable persons in a bad situation.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I remind Deputy Troy that we are not allowed to mention somebody outside the House by name, in this case, a judge, and the Deputy is also over time.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I assure Deputy Troy I have no problem with my hearing. There is no need to shout.

The needs of those suffering domestic violence in this country are well known and I certainly would want to see the services that support them supported. I welcome the opportunity to clarify the Government's approach to the funding of domestic violence services in County Westmeath and around the country.

For the first time, with the establishment of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence service provision is under one body with clear national direction. We now have a single line of accountability and a consolidated national budget which is reserved for allocation to these particular services. The establishment of Tusla has presented an opportunity to develop new approaches in terms of how best to meet the needs of Ireland's children and families.

Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services can now be delivered within a broad child and family support framework and this represents a significant change to the previous service delivery model. Tusla is in receipt of Exchequer funding of €643 million in 2015, including over €12 million in capital funding. This represents an increase of over €34 million or 5.6% on 2014. Tusla's budget for the provision of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services will be in excess of €19 million in 2015 as opposed to €17 million.

Tusla has undertaken a comprehensive review of these services over recent months. The purpose was to identify strategic priorities and set out a roadmap for the future delivery of sexual violence and domestic violence services. The review has demonstrated to Tusla that the organisations that provide these services to those who experience domestic violence have operated in difficult environments. They have made huge efforts to maintain services in the face of funding and other challenges. However, Tusla considers, arising from the review, that there is scope for a more co-ordinated and more equitable approach to the provision of these services across the country.

As part of this process, Tusla has reviewed the configuration of domestic violence services in County Westmeath and has identified scope for some degree of re-organisation and reconstitution of services while ensuring continuity for service users. Tusla has assured me that there is no question of services in the county being reduced.

Westmeath Support Services Against Domestic Abuse was in receipt of €47,146 in funding from Tusla last year. In 2015, funding of €23,572 is being allocated with services in the area to be re-configured. Tusla met the organisation on Friday last, 15 May, and has agreed to a further meeting with the organisation to discuss issues regarding continuity of service.

The funding to Westmeath support services is one component of a reconfiguration of domestic violence service provision in County Westmeath. The change in funding arrangements constitutes a re-allocation rather than a reduction in funding and Tusla has committed to enhancing the availability of services to women and children experiencing domestic violence in the Westmeath area. Tusla will continue to engage with stakeholders in County Westmeath around how best to provide domestic violence support services as part of an integrated community-based service and to ensure that responsive services are in place.

At all times, Tusla's key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of sexual violence are being met in the best way possible. For this reason, the 2015 budget is being directed towards front-line services and ensuring no potential service is disadvantaged because of geography. Tulsa, in reviewing the make up of current services, is seeking to address any identified gaps in services, to avoid duplication of services and to support effective delivery of front-line services nationally.

I want to assure the Deputies that the Government will continue to give a high priority to the provision and development of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services and that Tusla will work closely with service providers in this regard while giving particular priority to supporting front-line services.

Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the Minister's reply. However, the negative consequences of Tusla's abrupt withdrawal of funding from this organisation cannot be underestimated. If these services are taken away, what are we saying about our compassion for those who are living in horrific circumstances? Surely we must protect such funding rather than take it away from organisations.

On 1 January 2014, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, became an independent legal entity and its key remit was to offer support and protection to families and children. If these funding cuts to vital services represent Tusla's vision, then I plead with the Minister to keep a close eye on other Tusla changes to services which could have a detrimental impact on service users.

I urge the Minister to intervene and ensure the decision on the change of funding be reviewed. Some €49,000 is small money in the scheme of things, as the Minister spoke in his reply of funding of €19 million. The value that we receive for that €49,000 and the local knowledge cannot be measured. I urge him to intervene.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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We are talking predominantly about women who have been physically, mentally and sexually abused - some of the most vulnerable members of the community - and the Minister comes back with talk of reconfiguration and rationalisation of services which is terminology for cuts and closures. The Minister mentioned there is no question of services being reduced, but how can that be true when he is taking away 100% of the funding that this organisation has ran on for the past number of years? This follows on train of cuts in funding from the HSE in the past number of years to domestic violence services and cuts to funding for the Commission for the Support for Victims of Crime's domestic court accompaniment service.

The Minister's track record is quite poor in this regard. He needs to personally intervene in this situation to ensure that this service is maintained.

Shame on the Minister if under a Fine Gael and Labour Party Government the funding of a vulnerable service is swiped during a period of national recovery and an improvement in our economic circumstances.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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At the risk of repeating myself there are none so deaf as those who will not hear or listen. I have made this very clear, and I refer to Deputy Troy's reference to savage cuts. These are not cuts. This is a redistribution and a reconstitution of a service in the best interests of service-users. There is to be no diminution of service to those who use the service, the victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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No one is aware of the alternative on offer.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I did not interrupt the Deputy. In reply to the Deputy's other contentions, talks continue with the organisation to ensure a continuity of care. I wish to reassure Deputy McFadden who is very concerned about the services for those who suffer domestic violence and abuse that they are not being taken away. I wish to emphasise again that I have been assured by Tusla that there will be no reduction in service to service-users and that talks will continue with the organisation to ensure that there will be a continuity of care.

Talks continue and I wish to state again there will not be any reduction in service to service-users. There may be a change in the service which Tusla may consider in terms of a re-organisation of it, but this will give better service to people. This is not to denigrate anyone who has been providing service to date. I am not at liberty to say anything further but I do not rule out the possibility that individuals currently involved would not remain involved.