Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Last week I raised the issue of the rape crisis centres and the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. The rape crisis centres are independent of Rape Crisis Network Ireland. They are funded directly. I have it in writing that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Reilly, requested that Tusla give particular priority to protecting front-line services. In that context funding for the 16 rape crisis centres nationwide which provide services directly to rape survivors has been protected for 2015. Almost €4 million in funding is dedicated to rape crisis centres in 2015. No rape crisis centres are to be closed.

However, I agree that we should have a debate on the network, which is independent. It collates data. Of the 16 rape crisis centres, only eleven use Rape Crisis Network Ireland while the remainder collate their own data. They can explain that for themselves. We must have a debate to allow the Minister to explain the reasoning behind the policy. However, we should not accept an hour of statements but rather we should have a proper debate into which every one of us can have an input. I reiterate my call of last week for a constructive debate with time for all Members to speak.