Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
540. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Family Support Agency or any under agency under her remit provides funding to ensure that lower income families may avail of services such as psychotherapy and counselling; the level of funding available for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53900/12]
View answerThe Family Support Agency (FSA) provides funding to support the work of voluntary and community organisations in the provision of marriage, relationship, child and bereavement counselling services. The objective is to support continuity and stability in family life. The grants support both national and local voluntary organisations in helping people to deal with difficulties they are experiencing in their relationships, to help children whose lives have been affected by parental separation and to support families who have experienced the death of a family member.
Some 600 organisations are funded by the Family Support Agency each year, including 28 major organisations that have been identified for multi-annual funding. The Family Support Agency is providing total funding of €9.413m this year under this initiative. No client is turned away because of inability to pay. The functions of the Family Support Agency will transfer into the new Child and Family Support Agency upon its establishment. One of the principal objectives of the new Agency will be to continue to develop family support services. The emphasis will be on prevention and early intervention in order to help prevent problems arising for a family and where problems are identified to provide supports at an early stage. The preparation of the legislation necessary to give effect to the establishment of the new agency is proceeding as a priority.
