Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2015
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate counselling remains available to vulnerable children and adolescents; if improvement is warranted and likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36767/15]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding to voluntary organisations offering a range of counselling and support services to children and families including:
- Marriage and relationship counselling;
- Child counselling;
- Rainbows Peer Support Programme for children;
- Bereavement counselling and support on the death of a family member.
This year Tusla is providing funding of €5.8 million to support 330 counselling services, the majority of which are voluntary. The organisations that are funded vary enormously in size and approach; some are dedicated counselling bodies, others provide counselling as part of a wider range of social and family services. These services provide support to families, children and young people. The funding provided by Tusla focuses on the development of support services in the community for families to enhance stability in family life and to assist children and families and their members in dealing with difficult periods in their lives.
Counselling services funded by Tusla are specifically targeted at children who have been affected by parental separation or who have suffered family bereavement. Tusla’s marriage and relationship counselling funding is instrumental in assisting parents to deal with difficulties they experience in their personal relationships.
The funding provided aims to make counselling available to those who could not otherwise afford it.
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla for next year. Tusla will have available to it some €676 million in funding, representing an increase of €38 million over 2015.
The precise level of funding to be provided to counselling and support services will now be considered by Tusla in developing its Business Plan for 2016, which will be sent to me for consideration.
The Government, since its establishment, has attached particular priority to supporting vulnerable children and families and the significant increase in funding being made available to Tusla next year represents further evidence of our delivery on this ambition.
