Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
274. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19752/15]
View answerThe group referred to by the Deputy is a specialist support agency which was contracted by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to provide support, advice and training for Family Resource Centres across the area of disability awareness and staff/volunteer training in personal advocacy for people with disabilities. The organisation is funded by Tusla up to the end of June 2015. I am assured by Tusla that existing Family Resource Centres have the capacity to deliver the services in question to an appropriate level.
In seeking to improve outcomes and wellbeing for children and young people, Tusla must ensure that it makes the most efficient use of its resources in a way that is efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable. Tusla is giving priority in 2015 to the protection of front-line services and those which are best aligned to the priority outcomes as set out in their Corporate Plan. Tusla values the work of the agency in question and recognises the impact of its work across the Family Resource Centre Programme. However, having regard to Tusla's priorities and the overall level of resource available, it is necessary to focus on those services operating more directly at the front line.
Tusla is in receipt of Exchequer funding of €643m in 2015 which represents an increase of €34m or 5.3% over 2014. The level of funding provided represents tangible evidence of this Government's commitment to improving services for the most disadvantaged children and families.
