Written answers

Wednesday, 5 October 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Violence Against Women

9:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans in relation to requests of the Minister for Finance regarding budget 2006 to increase funding for services to women who are victims of violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26826/05]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make available increased funding to prevent and to combat the outcomes of violence against women; if he will address the underfunding of services such as phone help-lines, refuge and rape crisis centres to ensure that all women in need of such services can access them. [27149/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 302 together.

The responsibilities of my Department in relation to the issue of violence against women are for any necessary responses from the civil and criminal justice systems as well as for any preventative measures which can be put in place, including intervention programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence and for awareness raising measures aimed at changing society's attitude to violence against women. My Department also chairs and provides the secretariat to the national steering committee on violence against women. Funding in the Department's Vote for these activities was increased in 2005 by 39% to €1.124 million.

Funding for the provision of services to women experiencing violence, including domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children, while the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for the provision of refuges and other emergency accommodation.

I can further advise the Deputy that a subcommittee of the national steering committee is examining the question of funding for the sector generally and its findings, which are expected shortly, will be addressed to the relevant Departments.

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