Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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409. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount as a proportion of the entire budget allocated to domestic violence services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60142/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I was pleased to announce in Budget 2022 that Tusla will be allocated €899m for 2022; an increase of €41m over the amount allocated in Budget 2021 (€858m).

Of the €858m assigned to Tusla for 2021, I allocated €30m specifically to support DSGBV services throughout the country. This includes a €2.7 million increase in core services, bringing core service provision to €28 million, with an additional €2 million of one-off contingency funding being made available to help services cope with the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

This €30m represents approximately 3.5% of Tusla's total funding for 2021 that supports the broad range of services and activities operated by Tusla, including child protection & welfare, alternative care, and family support.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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410. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of increase in funding in order to respond to increased demand in domestic violence services due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60143/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I prioritised resources for Tusla in the Budget for 2021, so that it is meeting the needs of victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV). This is particularly important in the context of COVID-19. Tusla designated services for victims of DSGBV as one of the Agency's top three priority service areas during the pandemic.

My Department is providing Tusla with core funding of €30 million in 2021 to fund DSGBV services. This includes a €2.7 million increase in core services, bringing core service provision to €28 million, with an additional €2 million of one-off contingency funding being made available to help services cope with the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

In Budget 2022, Tusla's allocation has increased by an additional €41 million. I have directed Tusla to use part of these additional resources to maintain supports for DSGBV services and address the recommendations arising from Tusla’s Accommodation Review of refuge provision.

I have issued my Performance Statement to Tusla outlining the overall parameters of Tusla's financial resources, and signalling my priorities for the coming year. In response to this, Tusla will prepare its annual Business Plan for 2022 in accordance with section 46 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. This outlines the proposed activities for the year and the details of the proposed allocation of total financial resources.