Donegal services granted over €120,000 to combat gender-based violence

Over €120,000 has been granted to Donegal organisations in an effort to expand domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.

An allocation of €3.2 million was announced by Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, to be granted to 67 organisations across the country, with the Donegal Rape Crisis Centre receiving the bulk of Donegal’s allocation, at €105,804.79.

Donegal Women’s Refuge was granted €12,000, and Donegal Women’s Centre was allocated €3,948. 

The funding followed a targeted funding call by Cuan, the national agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, to support expansion of services and innovation across a range of domestic and sexual violence services and perpetrator programmes.

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Dr Stephanie O’Keefe, the Chief Executive Officer of Cuan, said: “This allocation of €3.2 million will facilitate a set of creative responses to service need, investing in support services for those most at risk.

“In our day-to-day engagement with funded services, we see first-hand the dedication that they bring to their work and the challenges they face. This open call has sought to support services in meeting these challenges through enhancing training and governance, and expanding their reach in the community.

“The response from services and stakeholders to the open call was huge, and a testament to the ambition that we share to build a strong service community.

Cuan looks forward to working closely with the successful service providers on the delivery of enhanced service levels and associated impacts”

Minister O’Callaghan said: “The investment provided to Cuan in Budget 2025 to deliver practical, measurable improvements for people who need support was significant.

“The funding allocated through this call ensures service providers can expand key supports for those in need.

“As we work to build a zero tolerance society, it is hoped more people will come forward seeking support, therefore, we must ensure we have an appropriate level of service delivery to meet that need. I want to commend the service providers and organisations who have been awarded funding, and I thank them for their dedication and commitment.”