Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 363: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to funding for victim support; the amount his Department allocates to victim support organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34764/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Funding for services providing victim support is provided through the commission for the support of victims of crime which I established in March 2005 following a review of existing provision for crime victims. The commission's term of office is for three years and its members are: Mr. Jim McHugh, retired assistant commissioner, the Garda Síochána, who is the chairman; Ms Nora Owen, former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Mr. Sean Lowry, former head of the probation and welfare service; Mr. Michael Whelan, Gemini Consulting; Ms Marian Finucane, broadcaster.

Its remit is to: devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future and disburse funding for victim support measures. The sum of €750,000 has been made available for disbursement under commission supervision in 2005 to community and other voluntary groups providing victim services, with a particular emphasis on the funding of activities on the ground that provide direct supports for victims of crime. I am advised that the commission received over 60 applications for funding for measures to support victims of crime in response to a public advertisement earlier this year. The commission examines each application on its merits and makes an independent decision in relation to eligibility for funding.

In 2005 the commission has approved funding for the following organisations: the national crime victims helpline — a single lo-call number manned by volunteers and providing information on all services available to victims of crime, which I launched on Monday, 14 November; Rape Crisis Network; Women's Aid Dublin; Irish Tourist Advisory Service, ITAS; Support after Homicide Group; Advic — a new organisation providing advocacy for families of homicide victims; Court Support Service — providing impartial practical support for victims and witnesses in court proceedings; Muintir na Tire — follow-up support for elderly rural crime victims; ICPAC — Irish Centre for Parentally Abducted Children; CARI — services to child abuse victims.

In all, the commission has approved funding of €411,000 to date. This includes commission agreement in principle to fund a further 16 applications. The commission is currently in correspondence with those applicants. The commission is also currently considering applications from the Victim Support organisation, which my Department funded up to March 2005, as well as from several groups that were formerly part of that organisation.