John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to increase funding for violence against women to address the underfunding of these services; if she has received the submission by the National Coalition Violence Against Women which outlines the issues and the needed allocation of moneys for support services; the steps she will take to ensure the increased and adequate funding of frontline services which provides for women who are victims of violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31097/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I have received a significant number of submissions and representations on this issue. My Department does not directly fund or co-ordinate health and personal social services to victims of abuse. Moneys are made available each year — formerly through the health boards and now through the Health Service Executive — for the provision of services to women victims of violence.

In recent years there has been a substantial increase in funding so that now over €12 million is provided annually for the provision of such services. The distribution of this funding is now a matter for the Health Service Executive.

The Tánaiste asked the HSE to carry out an analysis of the current level of service provision in this area and to report back to her. The Tánaiste is awaiting this report with interest and will be further informed by its findings.