Anti-domestic violence budget must rise, says De Rossa

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell must push for a 62% increase in the budget for the EU anti-domestic violence programme Labour’s MEP Proinsias De Rossa insisted yesterday.

A European Parliament review of the Daphne programme found last year one-in-five women suffer violence or abuse at the hands of their partner. Mr McDowell and other justice ministers are due to decide on the Daphne II programme to combat violence against women and children in the autumn.

The European Commission proposed a figure of €40m for the five-year programme for the expanded 25-member EU, due to start early next year.