Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
322. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of establishing ten new family resource centres; and the estimated full year cost of running these centres. [20996/17]
View answerI have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 20996 for answer on 3rd May, 2017 in relation to the Family Resource Centre Programme. I apologise for the delay in responding to you.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency runs the Family Resource Centre Programme, which supports 109 communities. Tusla values the work of Family Resource Centres (FRCs) and recognises the positive impact of their work in supporting families and local communities. FRCs provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community.
The Family Resource Centre Programme is a national programme with its own dedicated budget. Tusla provides core funding to FRCs to cover the employment of two to three members of staff and some overhead costs. The overheads can include rent, heating, utilities, office supplies and general expenses in the running of the FRC.
The Family Resource Centre Programme was first initiated in 1994 by the then Department of Social and Family Affairs, now the Department of Social Protection. It was never the intention of the Family Resource Centre Programme to cover all running costs for FRCs. While Programme funding contributes significantly to FRCs around the country, it does not cover full running costs. The core funding provided through the Family Resource Centre Programme does not cover programme costs for FRCs.
Tusla has informed me that the estimated initial set up costs of establishing a new Family Resource Centre would be approximately €30,000. The estimated cost of setting up ten new Centres would be approximately €300,000.
In a scenario where the budget was available, the estimated cost of three full-time positions would be approximately €128,000 per centre. This would cover the salary and pension costs of a full-time Co-ordinator, full-time Family Support/Development worker and Administrator all starting at the third point of the Family Resource Centre Programme Recommended Salary Scale. The estimated annual cost for three core-funded staff for ten new Centres would be approximately €1,280,000.
The estimated one year running costs for ten centres would be approximately €320,000.
No two Family Resource Centres are the same. Running costs vary from centre to centre, as there can be significant differences amongst Centres in relation to operational costs.
The running costs of a centre vary, and depend on a range of factors:
- the size, age, or location of the premises (depending on whether it is urban or rural),
- the dependent needs of the community, and the services and supports delivered by the centre,
- the ownership of the premises, or if it is rented, leased, or mortgaged,
- the Centre’s ability to supplement income or to raise funds for running the Centre from other sources; e.g., room rental,
- the receipt of funding from other statutory and voluntary organisations,
- the receipt of contributions towards running costs from other working partners on the premises,
- volunteer-related costs and the cost of travel and subsistence.
Tusla has advised that the current 2017 allocation to the Family Resource Centre Programme is €13.512m. Tusla plans to build on the strengths of the Family Resource Centre Programme in the years ahead to deliver its mandate for community-based early intervention and family support.
