Financial boost for sexual and gender-based violence support in Mayo

Two Mayo organisations receive about €176,000 to strengthen supports for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services.

The funding forms part of a national allocation of €3.2 million to strengthen domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) services across Ireland.

Under this allocation, the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre will receive €165,168 and Safe Ireland (Mayo Women’s Support Services) will receive €11,064.

The announcement was made today by the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, following a targeted funding call by Cuan, the national agency for DSGBV.

Minister Alan Dillon TD (Fine Gael), said: This allocation demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring service providers can expand key supports for those in need. It will help deliver more counselling, improved access for marginalised groups, and enhanced training for staff and boards working in this critical area.”

Nationally, the €3.2 million allocation will fund training and capacity building for boards and staff (€600,000 across 66 services), counselling services for adolescents (€751,000 to sexual violence services), targeted services for marginalised groups (€1.1 million to 26 services), access to perpetrator programmes (€352,000), and enhancements to national helplines (€266,000).

This investment will result in over 1,100 staff receiving additional training, 5,484 victims and survivors accessing more services and appointments, and 167 individuals engaging with offender programmes.

READ NEXT: Westport GP returns after 10 years in NHS to serve Mayo community