Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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With the agreement of the House, we will take Deputy O'Sullivan's question now. Is that agreed?

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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We will agree.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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It is agreed.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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6. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide immediate funding to ensure that vulnerable women can access support when they need it following the commitment from the Taoiseach on 15 June 2016 to examine how to fund the 24-7 Women's Aid national free helpline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17142/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I thank the Acting Chairman for giving to me the time to ask the question. It is fairly straightforward and the result of a serious funding issue for Women's Aid which has threatened its national helpline for women who are at serious risk and need urgent help and attention. In many cases, these women are under threat in their homes. The Taoiseach gave a commitment five weeks ago on 15 June to seek funding for it. Will the Minister update the House on the matter?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am aware of the Taoiseach's comments in the House on 15 June during his interaction with Deputy Howlin on this important issue.

Tusla has allocated funding of €20.6 million in 2016 to support front-line services dealing with domestic, sexual and gender-based abuse. This includes additional funding of €200,000, requested by Tusla, to implement the provisions of the Istanbul Convention, which deals with violence against women and domestic violence. There is an obligation under the Istanbul Convention to have a dedicated free 24-hour national helpline in place for contact regarding domestic violence.

I recognise the valuable work undertaken by Women’s Aid in the provision of national helpline services for domestic violence and the work of other specialist domestic violence service provider organisations that operate helpline contact.

Tusla is currently working with these organisations, as part of a commissioning process, to support the availability of a co-ordinated, accessible national helpline service that can provide both initial contact points and facilitate integrated responses to victims of domestic violence.

Tusla intends to introduce the commissioning approach for the domestic violence helpline from 2017 and will be engaging formally with providers, including Women's Aid, around this process in the coming months. The issue of costs as well as service specifications is being considered as part of the helpline commissioning process. It will be developed in the fourth quarter.

I was delighted to note that the Women's Aid helpline became a 24-7 service in recent months and I look forward to launching it formally in September. It certainly has my support.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As the Minister said, there is a duty under the Istanbul Convention to have that kind of service available. More important, though, there are a number of women around the country who need the service as a lifeline. If they are in a situation of immediate danger, they need to be able to call somebody on a 24-7 basis. I worry when I hear about commissioning processes. What is the timeline for the commissioning process? What we really need is to ensure the service is maintained. The Minister of State said she would be launching the helpline in September but I gather that Women's Aid will have to tender along with others so can she clarify that? Above all, can she give us an assurance that there will not be any gap in the service because of a problem with funding or the length of time the commissioning process might take?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I agree that we do not need there to be a gap in services. I fully support the Women's Aid helpline but there are other national helplines and Tusla is developing the commissioning of a service which could mean a number of helplines. It will take a look at the best way to provide a proper service and ensure that, as well as value for money, we get quality too because this is integral to such a project. It is consulting with Women's Aid as well as others who provide helplines and with this extensive review we will find a better way to provide the service for the women who need it.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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It is important not to confuse people by having too many options in the way of helplines. The Minister said there were a number of helplines around the country but what people need is immediate access and to know that, when they are in a particular situation, they can ring a number and get somebody at the other end of the line. Can the Minister of State ensure there is no confusion with different helplines?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I completely agree with Deputy O'Sullivan. People need access and it needs to be clear. We need to have enough capacity and it needs to be done right. That is what Tusla is doing at the moment in reviewing the process and in due course it will invite service providers to apply so that we have a better service for the women and others who need it.