Jim O'Callaghan

Cuan, the national agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), has allocated the funds to 67 services following a targeted funding call.

The funding has been allocated for the purposes of training and capacity building for boards and staff; providing counselling services for adolescents; targeting services to marginalised groups; increasing access to perpetrator programmes; and enhancing access to two national helplines.

It means more than 1,100 staff working across 67 DSGBV services will receive additional and improved training; an additional 5,484 victim/survivors of DSGBV will benefit from more services/appointments being available; and an additional 167 individuals will engage with offender programmes.

Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim 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.”

Dr Stephanie O’Keefe, CEO of Cuan, added: “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 firsthand 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 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.”