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Early Childhood Care and Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Questions (516)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

516. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied). [6035/21]

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Written answers

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding to over 700 external organisations, mainly in the non-profit sector, to commission services to fulfil Tusla's statutory responsibilities, and to deliver on Tusla's strategic objectives and key actions.

Non-profit organisations operate independently of Tusla and are responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed. I have a huge appreciation for the valuable contribution of such organisations in delivering important services to support vulnerable children and families. I am acutely aware of the financial constraints faced by many such organisations and indeed by Tusla in seeking to meet the extensive needs that exist.  I acknowledge that significant challenges remain for frontline organisations, particularly for staff who may not have not seen pay increases in that time.

While I take on board the points raised, I think the issues in question are not unique to the service you mention or services generally that are commissioned by Tusla or funded by my Department. Issues such as rates of pay and other matters raised by the Deputy for employees of the non-profit sector will require wider consideration across Government.

I am pleased to have secured significant additional funding for Tusla in this year's Budget which, I believe, will help the Agency more fully achieve its vision.  The exact details of where this additional funding is allocated by Tusla will be finalised in the coming weeks with Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021.

The funding arrangements between individual organisations and Tusla is agreed under a Service Level Agreement (SLA). As the funding arrangement for the particular service referenced by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, I have requested that the Agency respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

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