Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Health his strategy in relation to front line services to victims of domestic abuse; the number of refuge places available, by location, throughout the country; the funding provided to them in 2010 and 2011; if same is regarded as a front line service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24597/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Cosc's National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010 – 2014 outlines Government priority actions to address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The HSE published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence and this policy dovetails into the National Strategy.

The HSE currently fund 20 Crisis Refuges with a Budget in 2010 of €10.5M.

The final outturn for 2011 is not available yet.

These refuges are located as follows:

HSE South 6 Refuges - Kilkenny, Kerry, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Wexford HSE West 5 Refuges - Limerick, Galway, Ennis, Donegal, Mayo Dublin North East 5 Refuges – Coolock, Dundalk, Drogheda, Meath, Blanchardstown Dublin Mid Leinster 4 Refuges – Bray, Athlone, Rathmines, Tallaght

Regarding the number of refuge places available in each location I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Teach Tearmainn the only specialised domestic violence service in County Kildare is unable to open the new publicly funded facility because the Health Service Executive has informed it that no funding will be provided for that purpose; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the levels of domestic violence are on the increase; in the absence of HSE funding the other means of funding that are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24598/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Teach Tearmainn is on the point of completing a major new capital development in Kildare. This development includes four self-contained apartments to be used as crisis accommodation for the victims of domestic violence. The capital aspects of this development were fully funded through the Department of Environment and Local Government.

Teach Tearmainn has recently approached the HSE with an application for revenue funding to operate this new development. The application includes a request for approximately €440,000 to be allocated on a recurring basis to cover the full year costs of operating the refuge.

The HSE reiterated its support for the project at that time. However, this new development was not included in the funding allocation for 2011 and, unfortunately, given the current financial position the HSE has no additional funds for allocation this year.

The HSE undertook to investigate potential avenues of funding for 2012 and this process is currently underway.