Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Figures show worldwide one in three women has been abused in her lifetime. At times of crisis levels of violence and abuse rise. We have seen this throughout Covid-19 and during the pandemic. Earlier, the Minister for Justice announced funding of €445,000 for 18 domestic abuse services in towns throughout Ireland. This funding has a special focus on ensuring services are rolled out in regional areas outside of our city centres and urban areas. It is going to increase phoneline hours, emotional support and increase court accompaniment. I welcome an allocation of €15,000 for Roscommon Safe Link, which provides information, support and counselling and acts as an advocate. Many of these places also do outreach clinics. It can be seen throughout County Roscommon, including Ballaghadereen, Castlerea and Roscommon town.

Many groups suffer in silence. One group funded today is the AMAL Women's Association, an organisation to support Muslim women in Ireland to access support. Other groups include Longford Women's Link, the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Services and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

There is a new fund of €4.9 million to support victims of crime. Applicants can apply to this fund. Applicants have to be a civil society organisation or a registered charity, and applications must be returned by 5 p.m. on 6 December.

In addition, if Members have time, Mná 100 celebrating women in the justice sector is being livestreamed at 1 p.m. This brings together Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Ms Oonagh McPhillips, the Minister for Justice, former Minister for Justice, Nora Owen, and retired assistant secretary, Sylda Langford, along with a retired judge of the Supreme Court, Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan. This will be important to show how important it is to have women representing us within the justice sector.