Mary Lou McDonald
Question:843. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reinstate funding to a project (details supplied); and the reason the funding was withdrawn from same. [24151/19]
View answerTuesday, 11 June 2019
Questions (843)
Written answers
The Barnardos/One Family Child Contact project was a pilot which was funded for its duration.
The Final Evaluation of the Barnardos/One Family Pilot Child Contact Centre Report recommended an integrated response by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality. It is my belief that this is the best approach to progress the recommendations.
I can advise the Deputy that officials from my Department have come together with colleagues in the Department of Justice and Equality to jointly look at the implementation of the recommendations of the report.
In preparation for the work of the Group, officials in my Department are finalising a scoping exercise to establish the current provision of family contact services.
To date this has included reviewing:
- evaluations and recommendations relating to family contact services;
- family contact services available in other jurisdictions;
- the services currently offered at Family Resource Centres;
- information from other service providers relating to the needs of children and familie and consultation with individuals who are/have been working directly in family contact services.
My officials are in contact with the Department of Justice and Equality with a view to share the findings of the review and to plan next steps.