Rape support group hopeful of €7m funding boost

THE Rape Crisis Network of Ireland is hopeful of securing additional funding for services dealing with sexual violence following a meeting with Finance Minister Brian Cowen in Dublin yesterday.

The organisation is seeking a €7 million boost in annual funding and a national funding framework on violence by 2006.

Speaking after the meeting, RCNI executive director Fiona Neary said the minister was “receptive” to their cause, despite failing to commit to an immediate increase in funding.