Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
1133. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 16 May 2018, if further funding will be allocated for family resource centre programmes in budget 2019; the category in which a centre (details supplied) has to improve a future application to provide a family resource centre; and the nature of Tusla’s plans to deliver through its commissioning approach for the Dublin 12 area. [24269/18]
View answerFamily support is an important priority for me, and the increased level of funding for Family Resource Centres in 2018 reflects this. Family Resource Centres are front-line services rooted in the communities they serve. Acting as a focal point within their communities, Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their communities.
At the end of 2017, there were 109 Family Resource Centres in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla was provided with additional funding of some €3m in 2018 to expand the programme with the inclusion of 11 additional centres, bringing the total number of Family Resource Centres to 120.
Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre Programme. As part of the decision making process in choosing 11 new Family Resource Centres to join the Programme, Tusla engaged with local Tusla staff in areas around the country, as well as local Children and Young People's Service Committees (CYPSCs).
As outlined in my previous response to the Deputy, Tusla has advised me that the quality of applications received was of a very high standard. Tusla has indicated that the organisation to which the Deputy refers is welcome to seek specific feedback on its application from Tusla, with a view to future development.
Tusla has identified a need for family support services in specified areas of the country, including the Dublin 12 area. Tusla particularly wishes to develop its family support services in disadvantaged areas and will seek to allocate future funding according to the results of needs analysis projects across the country.
Decisions with regard to funding levels in 2019 will be taken in the context of the Estimates process. It is not possible therefore at this stage to advise on what level of funding will be available to family support services or the Family Resource Centre Programme next year. However, I strongly value this work, and I will certainly be making the case for a continued investment in family support services in 2019 and beyond.
