Crime victim support groups get €1.2m boost

More than €1m of public money is to be spent on victim support groups this year, the Government announced today.

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said the €1.22m funding would be distributed by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime.

The commission, set up in March 2005, last year gave out almost €900,000 to 33 organisations helping victims of crime.

“It has also taken the initiative to develop co-operation and support between these organisations themselves and between the organisations and the relevant state agencies to ensure that the victim has a central place when dealing with crime,” said Mr McDowell.

The Tánaiste urged organisations seeking funding from the commission to put in proposals before the deadline at the end of this month for the current round of grants.

Mr McDowell commended the commission and its chairman, former Garda Assistant Commissioner Jim McHugh, for its work over the past two years.

He also paid tribute to volunteers working tirelessly and largely unrecognised at local level to provide a service to crime victims.

He said that their sense of responsibility and support to the community deserves the praise, admiration and backing of both society in general and government in particular.

The commission includes former Minister for Justice Nora Owen, former head of the Probation and Welfare Service, Sean Lowry, Michael Whelan of Gemini Consulting and broadcaster Marian Finucane.