I should not have to stand in this Chamber and ask for services for survivors of rape or sexual assault, but here I am because there is no 24-7 sexual assault treatment unit in the mid-west. This means that survivors have no immediate access to forensic medical examination, leaving some survivors travelling significant distances - some on buses - to access specialist, time-sensitive care that is not available locally. The forensic medical examination service in University Hospital Limerick, UHL, is only available at certain times, meaning someone could be waiting hours in order to be forensically examined. The person needs to report this to An Garda Síochána. This means that if the person has just been raped or sexually assaulted, they have to make an on-the-call at the moment to report this in order to be seen in their locality. We know the report levels are extremely low, meaning many in the mid-west will not be able to seek the help they need. When will survivors of rape or sexual assault in the mid-west be given the same standard of care as those in other areas? When will a 24-7 sexual assault treatment unit be placed in the mid-west?

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important issue. I support the provision of services for those who have been sexually assaulted and the establishment of centres to do that. I do not have the specifics in respect of the progression of this in the mid-west but I will talk to the Minister about it. I would be fully supportive of it, subject to resource availability.