Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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63. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the appeals process arising from the decision made following the submission of expressions of interest by Galway city, county and the islands for the development of a comprehensive domestic violence outreach service; the status of the appeals process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51482/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In 2019, I was pleased to be in a position to provide Tusla, the Child and Family Agency with €1.5 million in additional funding for the provision of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services.

This funding allowed 12 additional domestic violence outreach workers to be employed in areas of need in counties Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway and Wicklow.

Following an extensive needs analysis project by Tusla, carried out with local stakeholders, areas of County Galway were identified as requiring access to additional services. The allocation of outreach workers in Galway was prioritised in 2019.

Tusla conducted a commissioning process to identify service providers that would lead on service provision in County Galway. This was completed in September 2019.

I understand there were several expressions of interest from service providers in Galway. Not all parties were successful in the application process. Following the completion of the process, an appeal was made by an organisation seeking a review of the decision making process.

Tusla has advised me that the appeal has been referred to a senior official at Service Director level, and will be examined accordingly. The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the organisation concerned in the coming weeks.

Tusla is committed to using all available resources in the most efficient, fair, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for service users. Tusla’s Commissioning Strategy was developed to support Tusla and its partners to deliver on this important objective.

It is important that Tusla and all funded service providers work together to ensure that the best possible service is provided to those who experience domestic violence, and who require their help.