Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 185: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to reverse the crisis faced by the State's Sexual Assault Treatment Units, as described in the new report Sexual Assault Treatment Services A National Review; if, in particular, she will ensure that funding is made available for these units, only one of which is currently funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24429/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may wish to note that all existing Sexual Assault Treatment Units are funded by the HSE. Most are funded through the hospital in which they are based. My Department does not directly fund or co-ordinate health and personal social services to victims of abuse. Monies are made available each year, formerly through the health boards, and now through the Health Services 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 Services Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.