Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
598. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of those local authority areas in which children services committees have been established; if she will provide details of the co-ordinator for each children services committee; the contact details for same and the budget of each committee in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25272/13]
View answerMy Department is leading an initiative to develop and implement a planning model for local interagency working to improve outcomes for children. The purpose of this initiative is to work towards better developmental outcomes for children through more effective integration of policies and services, in particular through the Children’s Services Committees at local level. Children’s Services Committees (CSCs) bring together a diverse group of agencies in local county areas to engage in joint planning of services for children. These include representatives from the HSE, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, VECs, National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, Irish Primary Principals Network, NEWB, and other organisations who provide services to children and young people. There are 16 CSCs at various stages of development.
My Department is currently finalising the details of the local authority areas where CSCs have been established along with the coordinators names and contact details and I will provide these details directly to the Deputy over the coming days. These Committees are not fiscally independent of their constituent memberships and do not therefore operate within independent budgets. Where funds are made available to support their activities, these generally reside in a constituent organisation.
In 2013, €108,000 was allocated towards the establishment and development of CSCs. The initiative hopes to secure better developmental outcomes for children through more effective integration of policies and services. In addition, €100,000 has also been allocated by my Department in 2013 towards the recruitment of a National Coordinator for the CSC Initiative and part-time administrative support, who will be hosted by the Centre for Effective Services (CES). This National Coordinator will work with my Department, the new Child and Family Support Agency and will provide strategic leadership to the Children’s Services Committees (CSCs) Initiative. I understand that following a competitive process the post has been offered to a candidate who is due to take up the role next month.
