Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made on the commitment made at the launch of the Women's Aid helpline figures recently. [28371/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for funding helpline and similar services to women who are victims of violence is a matter for the Department of Health and Children. My Department has raised the issue referred to with that Department and has been informed that a meeting is scheduled in the near future between Women's Aid and the Health Service Executive, at which funding matters will be discussed.

The responsibilities of my Department regarding the issue of violence against women relate to any necessary responses from the civil and criminal justice systems as well as 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. Within this remit, my Department is also in discussion with Women's Aid regarding its funding needs. Earlier this year the commission for the support of victims of crime, which comes under my Department's aegis, provided Women's Aid with €28,000 to assist in the provision of a court accompaniment service for victims of domestic violence.

A subcommittee of the national steering committee on violence against women, which is chaired by my Department, is examining the question of funding for the sector generally and its findings, which are expected shortly, will be addressed to the relevant Departments.