John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, and I thank the Leader for arranging to debate this important matter today in advance of the budget. I also thank Senator Terry who raised this issue on the Order of Business on a number of occasions.

It is good that we are being given the opportunity to discuss domestic violence. Last week, the Minister for Finance came before the House to discuss the Book of Estimates. One of the issues I raised, to which the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, did not reply at the end of the debate, was the paltry increase in funding for those organisations that deal with people who are victims of domestic abuse. I echo the comments of Senators on all sides of the House who referred to the lack of funding with which these organisations must cope. The latter is a real problem.

I also wish to echo the sentiments expressed by previous speakers to the effect that domestic violence, contrary to the myth that has developed, is not an issue which affects only women, it is also affecting a growing number of men. I support calls that the organisations which deal with the male victims of domestic violence should receive commensurate funding from the Departments concerned with the area of such violence. The budget is one week away and the Minister will have some leeway in the interim to make changes in specific areas. I am sure most members would support me in suggesting that the Minister should use that leeway to ensure that funding to the organisations to which I refer will be dramatically increased.

A 2% increase for the area of women's aid was announced in the Book of Estimates. In real terms, this will be a decrease because inflation is moving at a rate much higher than 2%. By the end of the year, it will be much more significant than 2%. I urge the Minister of State to communicate to the Minister for Finance that we are seeking significantly more than the 2% increase announced in the Book of Estimates. We are also seeking that those organisations which deal with male victims of domestic violence should become eligible for State subvention. At present, approximately 99% of the money raised by the organisations that support male victims is gathered through voluntary efforts and fund-raising. This situation should be rectified.

Previous speakers referred to statistics relating to levels of domestic violence. Many of them highlighted the National Crime Council's report from last year, which contained many startling figures. For example, 29% of women and 26% of men stated in response to the survey that they were the victims of domestic abuse. Those two figures are much higher than most people would have anticipated and the fact that there is such a small difference between them indicates that much more domestic violence is perpetrated against men than people previously believed.

I wish to echo the opinions expressed by a number of Senators with regard to the figures in the National Crime Council report relating to Traveller women. I refer here to the fact that it is stated that 49% of the total number of cases of domestic violence against females relate to Traveller women. That figure is hugely disproportionate, particularly when one considers the size of the Traveller community in the context of the overall population. There is a need to educate the Traveller community to the effect that this type of constant abuse cannot be permitted or accepted. The Minister for Finance, when announcing the budget next week, could also provide funding and resources in respect of this matter.

I agree with Senators who welcomed the recent media campaign. Any such campaigns which highlight domestic abuse are welcome. My only reservation in respect of the current campaign is that it reinforces the stereotypical image that domestic violence is perpetrated by abusive husbands. The most recent statistics indicate that situations of domestic violence are often not caused by abusive husbands and that female partners can often be quite abusive. In future media campaigns, perhaps the Government will try to ensure that people are presented with a more balanced picture. The use of children in the advertisements relating to the current campaign, particularly in the context of the time of year, is an extremely effective tool. As already stated, any media campaign in respect of this issue must be welcomed.

Previous speakers referred to the fact that 125 women were murdered in the past ten years and that 80 of them were killed in their homes. That is a startling statistic. Of this number, 47% were murdered by their partner or former partner. That highlights the gravity of this issue.

Carlow Women's Aid and a number of other Women's Aid organisations have organised meetings and rallies. A march will be held next Monday in Carlow town to highlight the number of women murdered in their homes over the past ten years. I am familiar with the services provided by Amber, the women's refuge in Kilkenny. I echo the Leader's comment that many of the refuges are not funded sufficiently, as a result of which their telephone lines are not manned 24 hours a day. Quite often, calls made to such shelters are not dealt with by somebody at the time they are made, and that is a major problem which can only be addressed through a significant increase in the resources at the disposal of refuges and other organisations.

The budget will be announced next week. The Minister of State should convey the concerns of the House to the Minister of Finance and ask for significant increases in funding for victims of domestic abuse in the budget.