€15K for Tearmann Housing Association

CAMPAIGN 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence

Extra funding has been allocated to organisations supporting victims of abuse and crime.

The announcement was made today on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Today also marks the United Nations (UN's) 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

Cavan Fianna Fáil TDs Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth have both welcomed the allocations.

In this region, €15,000 has been allocated to Tearmann Housing Association to help support victims of domestic violence and abuse. They are among 18 organisations nationally to receive a total of €445,000 in funding this year.

While welcoming the funding, Deputy Brendan Smith reiterated his call for the provision of a dedicated domestic refuge centre for victims in Cavan/Monaghan as a matter of urgency.

“I have also called, once again, on the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman and Tusla to ensure the provision of a domestic refuge centre in Cavan/Monaghan without further delay.

“Tackling domestic, sexual and gender based crime is a priority for Fianna Fáil in Government. Ensuring all required services and help are available to all victims of abuse or crime is a key objective,” he said.

Deputy Niamh Smyth said: “As part of a recent mapping exercise undertaken by the Minister for Justice to identify gaps in funding and how to address them, a number of organisations were identified where additional funding would allow them to provide further services and to increase the geographical spread of support to victims of crime."

Tearmann was one such organisation identified as part of that process.

"Having raised this issue in the Dáil, I know that this Government is fully committed to combating this type of violence and ensuring that anyone who is a victim of this type of abuse is empowered and supported to seek help," added Deputy Smyth.

Tearmann Domestic Abuse Services was set up in response to the escalation of domestic abuse in County Monaghan. Tearmann, is an Irish word meaning sanctuary.

To learn more about the service or access help, phone: 047- 72311 or email: tearmanndvs@eircom.net or log on to www.tearmann.net