Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2019
66. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that all family resource centres are adequately funded in the most disadvantaged communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6948/19]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding of some €18 million is being made available to the Family Resource Centre Programme, which is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. This is an increase of €1.5 million over 2018 funding.
In financial terms, funding for the Family Resource Programme, is now the highest it has been for almost a decade.
Family Resource Centres are located throughout the country and provide services to areas designated as disadvantaged. In the 2019 Performance Statement for Tusla, I have emphasised that additional funding provided this year is to support and develop existing Family Resource Centres.
Throughout the country I have seen at first hand the work of Family Resource Centres in transforming lives. I secured additional funding for Family Resources Centres in 2018 and I am pleased to be able to provide further support again this year. I do recognise that Family Resource Centres, like other services, are experiencing significant cost pressures due to rising rents, utility and wage costs.
Decisions made by Tusla in relation to the funding of individual Family Resource Centres have regard to location, size and catchment area of each centre. The process aims to be equitable and transparent.
All decisions are made to ensure available resources are applied in improving outcomes for children and families in the most equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.
Family Resource Centres form an integral part of Tusla's family support and prevention services. Through its local office network, Tusla provides additional funding to individual Family Resource Centres involved in the delivery of family support and prevention programmes.
I am committed to the further development of Family Resource Centres and I will continue to seek funding for them in future budget discussions.
