Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Health his strategy for addressing domestic violence; if she will comment specifically on the Lifeline service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33841/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Cosc is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence and was established by the government in 2007 as an executive office of the Department of Justice and Equality. Cosc's key task is to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole-of-government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence against women, men and older people in the community.

In March 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published. The Strategy sets out the commitments to be achieved by the state bodies and is itself the product of co-ordination and collaboration between the state and non-governmental organisations working in the sector. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

The HSE published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence in 2007. The principal actions are in line with the National Strategy. The HSE's policy states that a health-focused analysis of violence is crucial, not only because the consequences of such violence require a significant amount of healthcare system resources, but most importantly because the health care system is often the first route through which victims seek to access supports.

Services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence – including 20 crisis refuges, 27 domestic violence support services and 16 rape crisis centres – are funded in the order of €20 Million each year (€19.182 Million in 2011). Of this the twenty refuges received €10.435 Million in 2011. Every HSE region in Ireland has at least one refuge available providing crisis/emergency accommodation and most are accessible on a 24 hour basis.

In the second part of the PQ the Deputy asks about the Lifeline service. As this is a local operational issue I am referring it to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.