Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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557. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37136/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Lead responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Since August, I have introduced changes to the rent supplement scheme to make it more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence.  This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence  are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties.

I do not anticipate that additional funding will be required for this measure and that it will be possible to meet the cost of this measure under the existing funding provided for Rent Supplement.

I remain committed to supporting victims of domestic violence and will continue to review this particular aspect of my Department’s services for further improvement in line with the Programme for Government.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.