Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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951. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to explain the reason funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland is due to cease at the end of March; the tendering process that will be involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13253/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for the funding of the 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. In 2013 the HSE spent over €17 million on the provision of domestic and sexual violence services. This included the funding of 60 services throughout the country comprising:

- €10m for 20 Crisis Refuges

- Over €4 million for 16 Rape Crisis Centres

- Almost €3.5 million for 24 Support Services.

Rape Crisis Network of Ireland had a two year service level agreement with the HSE which expired on 31st December, 2013, but was extended to 31st March, 2014 to allow for establishment of the Child and Family Agency, the appointment of a Programme Manager for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services and to enable the Agency to tender for future support services to support frontline agencies. The Agency is undertaking a complete review of all services with the intention of producing a three year strategy for the sector and is consulting with the relevant parties. In order to extend this period of consultation, the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland and other service providers have been invited to deliver services to the end of 2014 and funding has been made available.

Commissioning of services will take place in September 2014 for the delivery of services in 2015. This process will be open to all qualified providers, including the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland, to tender for this new contract.