Rape crisis centres in Cork and Kerry are so under-funded that one centre has a three-month waiting list for counselling and the other is forced to see clients in its kitchen because of inadequate facilities.
Despite increased demand for the services of the centres, overall funding by the Southern Health Board has dropped.
At yesterday's meeting of the Southern Health Board, the board's vice-chairman Dr Catherine Molloy said the Cork Rape Crisis Centre had seen a drop in funding from €228,980 last year to €212,000 this year. The centres provided a critically important service, she said.
The Cork Rape Crisis Centre expected to be €100,000 short by the end of the year, Ms Mary Crilly, director of the centre, said later. In addition to the city premises, satellite offices had been opened in Bantry in west Cork and in Mallow in north Cork to meet the needs of those living long distances from the city.
This required more money. "We need to be sure of an increase every year," Ms Crilly said.
In the Kerry centre, where there are only two consulting rooms for 50 clients each week, the kitchen is used for any over-flow, Cllr Tom Fleming (FF) said. The Kerry Rape Crisis Centre expected to be €30,000 short by the end of the year, he added.
Ms Vera O'Leary, director of the Kerry Rape Crisis Centre, said the number of clients had increased by 160 from last year. She attributed this to greater awareness about problems of sexual abuse and changed attitudes to disclosure.
Mr Pat Healy, programme manager with the health board, said it would meet with the directors of the centres in September.