20 October 2005 

Justice

 Violence Against Women

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details of all funding made available by him to groups providing support services to victims of violence against women from when he became Minister to date; his plans to increase the level of funding for these groups in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

Minister For Justice, Equality and Law Reform:  

The Deputy will be aware that the primary responsibility for funding agencies providing support services to the victims of violence against women rests with the Department of Health and Children.  

My Department has provided funding to such (non-governmental) organisations at the level as set out in the tabular statement below.  This financial assistance has been provided in respect of such matters as awareness raising programmes, training and development for agency staff as well as funding for research projects and court accompaniment services.  Funding under my Department's Violence against Women budget increased by 39% in 2005 over 2004 and is reviewed annually.  

Tabular Statement available on request.