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Family Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Questions (432, 434, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444)

Finian McGrath

Question:

432. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a submission (details supplied) regarding family resource centres. [55080/12]

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Tom Fleming

Question:

434. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding the proposed new Child and Family Support Agency replacing the Family Support Agency, if she will ensure that the level of services and focus of the work of family resource centres will not be compromised in any way; if she will ensure that family resource centre national forum has representation at board level within the new agency to ensure that the role of family support remains paramount in supporting both children and their parents; if she will ensure that the ethos and culture of the family support centre programme will be maintained in order that that the strong standing that family resource centre attained in the communities family is not adversely altered; if she willensure that there is ring fencing of the budget for the family resource centre programme within the new agency; if she will ensure that the position held by family resource centres in the delivery of community based universal services and family intervention services and or programmes are maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55407/12]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

440. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the need to maintain the position held by the family resource centre in the delivery of community based universal services and early intervention services and programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55665/12]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

441. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to the ring fencing of the budget of the family resource centre programme, her views on the cuts that have been imposed on resource centre programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55666/12]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

442. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on whether the ethos and the culture of the family resource centre programmes should be maintained (details supplied) [55667/12]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the Family Resource Centre national forum should have representation within the new agency, in view of the fact that the National Forum has had effective and productive representation in the Family Support Agency and as such has insured a seamless working relationship between the State agency and the voluntary sector service provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55668/12]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

444. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with regard to supporting the Family Resource Centre Programme, regardless of the make-up of the new Child and Family Support Agency, the level of service and if she will ensure that the focus of the work of the family resource centres should not be compromised in any way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55669/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 434 and 440 to 444, inclusive, together.

The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established in early 2013. In order to inform the content of the legislation the Government has decided that upon establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will have responsibility for a range of services. This includes the full range of child welfare and protection services currently operated by the HSE including family support and alternative care services. It has also been decided that due to its particular relevance domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services will also be included within the Agency's responsibilities. The Government has further decided that the new Agency will assume responsibility for the functions of both the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. These two organisations currently operate under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

The Family Support Agency, under my Department, operates the Family Resource Centre Programme. The aim of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The programme funds 106 family resource centres throughout the country. It emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level. Funding of over €15m was provided to the Family Support Agency in respect of this programme in 2012.

It is my intention that the work of the new agency will include a particular focus on the provision of services that could help prevent problems arising for a family, that would identify problems and provide supports at an early stage and that would assist children and families in managing serious problems requiring specialised interventions beyond their own resources. Therefore, in addition to child welfare and protection services there will be an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, family support and therapeutic care interventions.

I can assure the Deputies that the focus of the new Agency will build on the excellent work undertaken by the Family Support Agency over the last decade. The additional issues raised by the Deputies are being given consideration as part of the preparation of the legislation necessary to give effect to the establishment of the new agency.

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