The Child and Family Agency was established on 1 January, 2014. It involved bringing together nearly 4,000 staff from three separate organisations, the HSE, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. The establishment of the new Agency with a budget of over €600m represents one of the most ambitious and far reaching public sector reforms undertaken by the Government.
In preparation for the disaggregation of services from the HSE a comprehensive log of all premises was compiled setting out the locations from which child and family services operate. This log includes premises used exclusively by child and family services, rented accommodation and premises shared with HSE services. The Agency is committed to working with the HSE to ensure arrangements continue to meet both their respective needs. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency and the HSE has been agreed which sets out a range of provisions that support the functional delivery of services by the Agency.
Child and Family Services operate from a range of properties in the Waterford area, only one of which is rented exclusively for Child and Family Services at St. Andrew's Terrace, Newtown. Another is rented on a shared basis at Johnstown. The remaining premises are in the ownership of the State.
A new facility at Belmont, Ferrybank which currently houses an Early Years Service on the ground floor will shortly accommodate some of the Agency's local child and family services. This premises has a long term-lease at nominal cost. Its construction was funded by a number of State Agencies, including the HSE, and two adjoining Local Authorities using once off capital funds. Additional capital funding was allocated to fit it out to meet the needs of the Agency. There are no plans for additional facilities in this area.
