Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
529. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will review the funding mechanism for family resource centres and other types of facilities with the view to ring-fencing long-term funding to ensure the services can continue to operate into the future (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23420/20]
View answerAs Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I greatly value the work of Family Resource Centres and the many other organisations providing services to children, families and communities across the country.
I am acutely conscious of the challenges posed for service planning by the annual nature of the budgetary cycle. The management of grant funding is governed by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds which requires that all grants be expended by year end. While I would welcome further discussion in relation to this, the Public spending code and a move to providing long term or multi-annual funding is a matter for central Government and will require significant cross-government and legislative consideration.
Since 2014, the number of grant funded agencies (section 56 and 59), including Family Resource Centres and other community and voluntary organisations funded by Tusla, has increased, as has the total amount of funding provided. My Department and Tusla have worked to promote investment in Prevention and Early Intervention, as well as develop a commissioning approach to ensure that funding and resources available to children and families, are used in the most effective, equitable and sustainable way possible.
I will be seeking additional funding in Budget 2021, to ensure that these agencies and organisations continue to be supported in the coming year.
