The Minister for Justice Simon Harris has announced funding totalling €5.25 million for more than 65 organisations to support victims of crime.

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 across the country working with victims such as Offaly Domestic Violence Support, Bray Women’s Refuge and Wexford Rape Crisis.
• General victims support organisations including Victim Support at Court.
• Specialist organisations including Migrant Rights Centre and Dignity 4 Patients.

There is an increased budget of €5.8 million 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.

This budget compares with an allocation of €4.6 million in 2022 and €1.712 million in 2019.

Minister Harris said, “the work of so many organisations across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding, and I’m delighted to provide this funding to help ensure these services are available to all victims who need them, to a consistently high standard, and throughout the State.”

“We recognise the significant difficulties faced by many through increased costs and inflation. Where organisations sought an increase on last year’s funding, they have been granted a 5pc cost-of-living increase, at a minimum. We are committed to building a victim-centred criminal justice system and, in general terms, this funding will increase the organisations’ ability to provide supports and services as victims engage.”

Last October, the department 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.

Applicants included organisations that provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines.

Funding is given to organisations that meet the objectives and that can show they have the required management and compliance policies and procedures in place.

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 7.9pc in 2023.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne 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.”

“Prioritising the needs and experience of the victim is central to our ongoing work under ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’ and this funding is a significant element of that. We will also continue other victim-centred initiatives this year, including our Victims’ Forum which provides a space for many of the organisations we are funding – and other State actors – to articulate their views in order to help us all make real improvements in how victims and survivors are treated.”