John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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173. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify reports that core funding for the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, which is under the aegis of the Child and Family Agency, will be ceased from 31 March 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4458/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for the funding of Rape Crisis Centres and Refuges previously funded by the HSE became the responsibility of the new Child and Family Agency upon its establishment on 1^st January, 2014. I wish to advise the Deputy that as part of establishment of the new Child and Family Agency, a dedicated position of Programme Manager for domestic, sexual and gender based violence is being created. I am pleased to say that the National Programme Manager is due take up the post on 3^rd February next. Since the establishment of the Child and Family Agency on 1^st January, 2014 there has been a single line of accountability for all resources made available to services responding to domestic, sexual and gender based violence. Previously there was a range of local funders in children’s services, primary care and social inclusion. I would like to further assure the Deputy that funding is ring-fenced to provide frontline services in this area.

With respect to support services, I am advised that Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) had a two year contract with the HSE which was due to finish on 31st December, 2013. This contract was extended to 31st March, 2014, but due to the level of the support services involved and the value of the contract, a tendering process for reappointment of a service is required. The National Programme Manager with special responsibility for Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence will work with the Head of Procurement in the Agency to develop a tender process. It is open to all qualified providers, including the RCNI, to tender for this new contract. As the provision of these supports will involve a tendering process, I hope the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot go into too much further detail in advance of the contracts being placed.