The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced funding totalling €4.6 million for more than 60 organisations to support victims of crime.

The €4.6 million is an increase of over 20% on the previous total fund of €3.8 million which was made available in 2021.

It also builds on separate, additional funding announced last November under the ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’ plan for areas of the country or categories of victims not currently fully covered by support services for victims.

The allocations cover:

• National and larger organisations such as Barnardos, Women’s Aid and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
• A range of local organisations working with victims across the country, such as Women’s Aid in Dundalk, Wexford Rape Crisis and Letterkenny Women’s Centre.
• General victims support organisations such as the Crime Victims Helpline.
• Specialist organisations including the Irish Tourist Assistance Service and Dignity 4 Patients.

Minister McEntee said, “do many organisations across the country are doing outstanding work for victims. I am pleased to announce this funding to increase their ability to provide supports and services as victims engage with the criminal justice system.”

“I am working to build a victim centred criminal justice system where victims know they will be treated with respect and dignity when they come forward to report what happened to them. A fear of the system, or how someone in it might treat you, should never stop a victim seeking justice.”

“I believe that many of the reforms I am introducing, such as preliminary trial hearings and training for frontline staff in the legal system, will help victims. But increased funding for organisations that offer services such as court accompaniment and helplines for victims, as announced today, is also vital.”

In particular, €250,000 has been allocated to a number of organisations including Doras and Men’s Development Network for training and awareness raising of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Late last year, 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.

Applicants included organisations that provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, as well as counselling services, court accompaniment and other accompaniment.

Budget 2022 includes €4.9 million allocated to the Department of Justice specifically for Victims of Crime, and other projects will be funded later in the year.

Minister McEntee added, “this week, we also held our inaugural Victims’ Forum, which will provide further opportunities to engage closely with frontline organisations who support victims. I have established the Forum to facilitate information exchange and examine avenues of improvement in relation to victims’ rights, and I think it will be another important element in improving the system.”