Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Tusla provides funding and coordination supports to some 60 organisations that deliver a range of services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, throughout the country.

The table provided below, outlines the overall funding allocations for Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services in 2018 and 2019. Final figures in respect of 2020 are not yet available. Funding

for DSGBV Services in 2020 is €25.3m. However, this figure does not include additional funding provided by Tusla to the sector in response to challenges arising from Covid-19.

To date, Tusla has advised that it has issued some €800,000 to DSGBV services to respond to the challenges arising from Covid-19, with a further €400,000 in identified costs currently expected to maintain business-as-usual across all domestic, sexual and gender based violence services up to year end. 

Tusla business planning processes for 2021 are ongoing, so specific budgetary determinations for 2021 have not yet been made.  The needs of the sector are being considered as part of these processes. Tusla is aware that Covid-19 related issues continue to impact on these services and will factor this into service and funding arrangements for 2021.

Table1: Tusla funding for Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services 2018-2021

*represents approximate allocation for 2020, not including additional funding provided in context of Covid-19 challenges.