Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent of funding supports for services to victims of crime distributed to non-Governmental organisations across the country in providing a wide range of supports to victims of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26133/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Protecting and supporting victims of crime is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice.

My Department provides funding to NGOs that support victims of crime by providing important information and supports such as emotional support, court accompaniment, and accompaniment to Garda interviews, to sexual assault treatment units and referral to other services.

In March, I announced funding totalling €4.6m for more than 60 organisations to support victims of crime as part of this scheme. This is an increase of over 20% on the previous total fund of €3.8m which was made available in 2021.  The attached table outlines the approved funding for victims of crime for 2022.

The vast majority of organisations have seen increases in their funding and a number of new applicants for Victims of Crime funding received allocations for the first time.

This 2022 funding builds on the additional funding announced last November under the Supporting a Victim’s Journey plan. This additional funding was provided to 18 organisations to address gaps in services identified on foot of a mapping exercise looking at the geographical spread and type of services available to victims nationwide.

The allocations under the scheme this year cover a range of services that provide support to victims nationwide including:

- National and larger organisations such as Barnardos, Women’s Aid, and Safe Ireland which includes funding to support the continuation and expansion of the direct support services provided by their frontline service Mayo Women's Support Services (MWSS);

- Voluntary organisations such as Victim Support at Court;

- A range of local organisations working with victims across the country, such as Women’s Aid in Dundalk, Wexford Rape Crisis and Letterkenny Women’s Centre;

- General victims support organisations such as the Crime Victims Helpline; and

- Specialist organisations including the Irish Tourist Assistance Service, and Dignity 4 Patients.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that such organisations provide an essential service for victims of crime.

I am committed to continuing to work with them and with my colleagues across Government to build a victim-centred criminal justice system that treats victims with respect and dignity at every step of their journey through it.

Total list of approved victims of crime funding 2022