Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will respond to the request from the current officer board of Victim Support for grant assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27919/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The disbursement of funding to victims of crime is now a matter for the commission for the support of victims of crime. The commission is an independent body established in March 2005 with a remit to devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future and disburse funding for victim support measures.

I decided to terminate funding for the Victim Support organisation with effect from 31 March 2005 because of reductions in service levels and concerns in regard to governance, accountability and value for money arising from ongoing internal difficulties in that organisation. An independent review carried out early in 2005 concluded that the organisation was terminally damaged.

I am advised that the commission has received more than 60 applications for funding for measures to support victims of crime in response to a public advertisement earlier this year. I understand these included independent applications from a number of former elements of the Victim Support organisation as well as the interim board of Victim Support. The commission examines each application on its merits and makes an independent decision in regard to eligibility for funding. I understand the commission has arranged to meet with the chairman of the interim board of Victim Support later this month in order to discuss its application for funding.