Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1328. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of family resource centre funding applications received under the last round of funding by county in tabular form; the criteria used in determining the outcome of the applications; the nature of the appeals process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15110/18]
View answerIn Budget 2018, I secured an additional €3.0m for Tusla to support the Family Resource Centre Programme. The additional funding provided is being used to support the 109 existing Family Resource Centres, and also provides for expansion of the Programme with the inclusion of 11 new centres. Following a public application process, Tusla recently announced the eleven centres which are being included in the Programme this year.
Tusla received a high number of applications, 47 in total, for inclusion in the programme. The criteria considered included the size and make-up of the geographical area; the social and economic conditions of the specified area; and the overall population breakdown of the area that would be serviced by the centre. The criteria also considered the structure of the organisation(s) applying to the Programme; their objectives, targets, and current relationships with other organisations; and the inclusion of available research, community projects, and needs assessments with the application. Tusla has advised that there is no process in place for appeals.
It is important that the needs of children and families are met in the best way possible, particularly in areas of disadvantage. Through its Prevention, Partnership and Family Support network, Tusla will continue to provide supports through the targeting of additional resources to services that will impact positively on vulnerable children and families. I will continue to support the work of Family Resource Centres and family support services throughout the country.
The number of applications to the Family Resource Programme, and their county of origin, are outlined in the following table.
|
|
County |
Number of Applications |
|
1. |
Carlow |
0 |
|
2. |
Cavan |
1 |
|
3. |
Clare |
2 |
|
4. |
Cork |
7 |
|
5. |
Donegal |
2 |
|
6. |
Dublin |
6 |
|
7. |
Galway |
2 |
|
8. |
Kerry |
1 |
|
9. |
Kildare |
2 |
|
10. |
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
11. |
Laois |
1 |
|
12. |
Leitrim |
0 |
|
13. |
Limerick |
3 |
|
14. |
Longford |
1 |
|
15. |
Louth |
1 |
|
16. |
Mayo |
1 |
|
17. |
Meath |
2 |
|
18. |
Monaghan |
3 |
|
19. |
Offaly |
1 |
|
20. |
Roscommon |
1 |
|
21. |
Sligo |
0 |
|
22. |
Tipperary |
4 |
|
23. |
Waterford |
1 |
|
24. |
Westmeath |
0 |
|
25. |
Wexford |
2 |
|
26. |
Wicklow |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
47 |
