Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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267. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will direct Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to protect domestic violence support services in County Roscommon by reinstating funding to Roscommon SAFE Link, Boyle, County Roscommon, following the withdrawal of financial support for its domestic violence and counselling services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19619/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for the funding of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services transferred from the HSE to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, upon its establishment on 1 January, 2014. In 2014, Tusla provided funding in excess of over €17 million to support the provision of these services. This included the funding of some 60 services throughout the country:

- €10m for 20 Crisis Refuges and support services

- Over €4 million for 16 Rape Crisis Centres

- Almost €3.5 million for 24 Domestic Violence Support Services.

In addition, funding of €2.54m for domestic violence refuge services has recently transferred to my Department's Vote from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, and in turn to Tusla. The purpose of this funding transfer is to ensure that the State's relationship with domestic violence services is managed in a manner which is more coherent and adapted to the needs of service users i.e. victims of domestic violence.

Tusla has undertaken a comprehensive review of Sexual violence and Domestic violence services. The purpose was to identify strategic priorities and set out a roadmap for the delivery of these services. Tusla considers that there is scope for a more co-ordinated and more equitable provision of these services across the country. In reviewing the make up of current services, it is seeking to address any identified gaps in services, to avoid duplication and to support effective delivery of frontline services nationally.

Tusla has been reviewing and is considering some reconfiguration of domestic violence services in Co. Roscommon in order to address acute gaps in domestic violence service provision in the county.

At a meeting with Roscommon Safe Link on Friday 15^thMay, Tusla indicated that it will be funding the organisation in 2015 at the level of €91,720.

Tusla will continue to be engaged with stakeholders in Co. Roscommon around how best to provide domestic violence support services as part of integrated community-based services for all of those in Co. Roscommon who require support in dealing with issues of domestic violence.