Kildare receives €10,400 of €3.2 million fund set up to expand Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence services

County Kildare has received just €10,400 of a new €3.2 million funding package which was announced by the government to tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV).

This stands in contrast to several other counties which received six-figure allocations from the funds, which were announced yesterday (December 15 last) by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan TD.

The allocation follows a call from Cuan, a statutory agency which falls under the remit of the Minister's Department and is dedicated to tackling and reducing DSGBV.

It also follows after KFM previously reported back in August that Kildare had one of the higher rates of domestic abuse calls to Gardaí last year, at 13.28 per 1,000 people, which is above the national average.

Furthermore, the funding comes at a time when more than 1,600 reports of domestic violence were made nationally during Christmas week last year.

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'A VITAL STEP'

One Kildare-based politician who was optimistic about the funding announcement was Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, who described it as "a vital step in strengthening support for survivors".

She noted that the service in Kildare to receive funding is Teach Tearmain Housing Association, an organisation which currently provides domestic violence support services for the entirety of Kildare.

According to Senator O'Loughlin, the funding will support the expansion of services like counselling services, improved access to domestic and sexual violence services, increased capacity to respond to rising demand across national helplines.

Speaking further on the allocation, Senator O'Loughlin said: "DSGBV has no place in our society, yet too many people continue to suffer in silence, feeling isolated, alone and unsure of where to turn for help.

"This funding announcement will ensure that more supports are available locally; Safe Ireland provide an excellent service to the people of the Kildare region, and this funding will help the further expand those services."

The Newbridge-based representative continued: "As awareness grows and more people come forward seeking assistance, it is essential that we have the appropriate level of service delivery in place to meet that demand.

"As we work towards a zero-tolerance approach to DSGBV, I want people to know that help is available."

She concluded: "These services are delivered by dedicated and experienced professionals who will support individuals through the hardship they are facing; no one has to face this alone."

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. File photograph

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.

If you have been affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or emailing helpline@womensaid.ie, or Men's Aid by ringing 01 554 3811 or emailing hello@mensaid.ie.

Additionally, you can find resources to help you by emailing Samaritans Ireland at jo@samaritans.ie, or by ringing 116 123.

For resources related to addressing sexual violence, please visit the official Rape Crisis Centre website on drcc.ie.