Funding for victims of crime organisations
Several Cork organisations which work with victims of crime have received more funding so they can continue to help people.
Cork North Central Deputy Colm Burke has said that a €5.25m funding announcement will help more than 65 organisations to work with victims of crimes across the country.
He said: “The work of organisations in Cork, and all across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding. They provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines.”
The allocations range from €3,000 to €740,000, and they cover:
• National and larger organisations such as Women’s Aid, Ruhama, and One in Four
• Local organisations working with victims such as Domestic Violence Support, Women’s Refugeand Rape Crisis outlets
• General victims support organisations including Victim Support at Court
• Specialist organisations including Migrant Rights Centre and Dignity 4 Patients.
He continued: “There is an increased budget of €5.8m allocated to the Department of Justice specifically for victims of crime in 2023, and the remaining funding will be made available later in the year once further service need assessments have been completed.”
Deputy Burke added: “I am particularly pleased that Cork organisations such as the Good Shepard will get €40,000, the Cork Sexual Violence Centre will get €26,000 and Mna Feasa will get €27,500, OSS Cork will get €17,000 and West Cork Women Against Violence will get €15,750 which will prove a very welcome boost to delivery of the services available to victims of crime.”
Last October, the Department of Justice invited applications for funding from registered charities, voluntary community groups, and other organisations which provide services or plan to provide services supporting victims in the criminal justice system.
The Department of Justice currently funds a number of NGOs that provide supports for victims of crime on a multi-annual basis.
These agreements aim to assist the organisations with their long-term planning and cash flow, and to ensure more effective and efficient use of funding. These organisations will see an increase in funding of 7.9% in 2023.
Minister for Justice (Fine Gael) Simon Harris said: “I know that being the victim of a crime can be very traumatic and difficult, and we’re determined to ensure that the necessary range of supports and services to help is available.
“Building stronger, safer communities and prioritising the needs and experience of the victim is central to our ongoing work under Supporting a Victim’s Journey and the Zero Tolerance strategy.
“The work of so many organisations across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding. They provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines,” he added.