09/08/2012

Counsellors Plead For Funding To Keep Rape Support Services Going

A plea for funding has been made by sex attack counsellors, in an effort to keep free services running.

2,541 were supported by the services last year with the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) saying there was an 11pc increase in demand for support in 2011, following a 9pc increase the previous year.

Specialists provided 20,727 hours of counselling and support to women, men and children.

Miriam Duffy, chairwoman and director of Rape Crisis Midwest, urged health minister Dr James Reilly not to cut funding further in the 2013 budget as demand showed no sign of easing.

"We know how much strength it takes for a survivor to reach out for support," she said.

"Therefore, it is with great sadness that we have had to affect cut backs because we know that these cuts mean that we cannot fully meet survivors' needs at the time they need it.

"Any further cuts in the forthcoming 2013 budget will inevitably result in fewer services for survivors."

(H)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 June 2016
Govt Urged To Increase Funding For Domestic Violence Support Services
The government has been urged to substantially increase funding for domestic violence accommodation support services. Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoin Ó Broin, made the call following a response from Minister Katherine Zappone to a parliamentary question which showed that Tusla only received €15.
18 June 2015
Sinn Féin Accuse Govt Of Being 'Anti-Woman'
The Fine Gael and Labour government have been accused of being "anti-women" following the news that funding for the Rape Crisis Network Ireland is to be cut. Sinn Féin's Pádraig Mac Lochlainn described the total funding cut as "devastating". "This latest cut ... will cripple the vital services that the Rape Crisis Network Ireland provides.
22 July 2014
20 Customer Service Jobs Announced For Portlaoise
20 jobs are to be created in Portlaoise over the next three years, following the announcement that lead generation services company Internal Results Ireland Limited is to establish a Customer Support Centre in the County Laois town. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.
11 October 2017
Additional €646m Allocated To Dept Of Health In Budget 2018
Budget 2018 will deliver better access, more help for families and more supports for disability, mental health, and older and vulnerable people, Minister Simon Harris and Ministers of State Finian McGrath, Jim Daly and Catherine Byrne have said. An additional €646 million in current expenditure is being allocated to Health in Budget 2018.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.