Minister McEntee details extra funding for DSGBV service providers
- Foilsithe: 17 Samhain 2023
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 4 Eanáir 2024
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced details of additional funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) services for 2024.
An amount of approximately €3.8 million will be made available through a targeted call to established DSGBV organisations operating services and supports specifically focused on victims and survivors of DSGBV. The funding will be administered by the new DSGBV Agency to be established in January 2024 supported by Tusla in the interim period.
Minister McEntee said:
“In total, I have secured an additional €12 million for combatting DSGBV which represents an unprecedented 25% increase in funding for this area. This amount of additional funding being provided in 2024 is testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
"It is my intention that every person who needs a refuge space will have access to one, and this extra €7.9 million will be used to maintain existing services, to address existing acute demand, and for the enhancement and development of new services.
"This record level of funding will also support the implementation of Zero Tolerance, our Third National Strategy on DSGBV, which I launched last year.”
DSGBV organisations currently funded through Tusla will be invited to submit requirements or proposals for additional funding in a number of areas including:
- €2.5 million available to domestic violence services to address acute sustainability and service demand pressures, and to support organisations to ensure greater coverage in rural areas and for children’s support services
- €1.3 million available for sexual violence services to meet the needs of younger people and to address geographical gaps in provision
Approximately €2.5 million for safe accommodation will be focused on the priority sites identified under the Third National Strategy with a significant portion allocated to the staffing of new refuges.
To aid in offsetting cost pressures sustainability funding has increased by 9% since 2022.
Minister McEntee added:
“In general terms the funding announced today will increase the ability of organisations on the frontline to support victims, which is especially important given the rise in those seeking help.
“The additional funding is being made available through a targeted call to established DSGBV service providers.
“There is an emphasis on supporting projects that address unmet need geographically and/or for those with additional vulnerabilities or complex needs. The call will prioritise submissions that support therapeutic responses to young people who have experienced sexual violence/abuse from organisations that have the capacity to provide these services to a high standard.
“Tusla will contact the relevant organisations directly with details of how to apply.”
In total, Tusla has been allocated €46 million for funding DSGBV services in 2024 which includes the additional €7.9 million secured by Minister McEntee. Separate to the funding of DSGBV services, the Department of Justice has allocated €6.8 million for measures to tackle DSGBV, including through awareness raising campaigns and funding for perpetrator programmes.
The Department of Justice has allocated a further €7.5 million for providing funding to promote and assist the development of specific support services for victims of crime within the criminal justice system, which includes victims of domestic and sexual crime.
Additional information for potential applicants
DSGBV sector organisations will be contacted by Tusla and invited to submit requirements through proposals for additional funding.
Submissions that evidence need and/or successful outcomes, and those which demonstrate collaborative approaches will be particularly welcome.
There will be a particular priority on achieving targeted responses to address unmet need geographically and/or for those with additional vulnerabilities or complex needs.
Submissions that support therapeutic responses to young people who have experienced sexual violence/abuse are encouraged from organisations that have the capacity to provide these services to a high standard.
Developments that provide for sustainability into service delivery are encouraged. Submissions will also be evaluated on the basis of:
- evidence of fit with the 3rd National Zero Tolerance Strategy
- evidence of fit with the Justice Strategy 2023
- victim/survivor evidenced- Demonstrating how service users have participated in the planning or how they have informed the service proposal
- demonstrate Value for Money on outputs