Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
401. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to increase the core funding available to family resource centres to allow them to expand their capacity to deal with the additional workload the emergency situation in Ukraine and the potential refugee arrival in Ireland from the region will present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13039/22]
View answerI would like to assure you that I am deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine. We are monitoring the situation closely and my Department is ready to assist in our national response as the EU develops a coordinated approach to supporting Ukrainian nationals seeking international protection. I am liaising with my EU colleagues and Cabinet to ensure an effective humanitarian response.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding to 121 Centres across the country. Ukrainian nationals seeking international protection arriving into the State will effectively be part of the community and have access to health services, accommodation, education for children and other social supports. This includes services such as FRCs, which will be available to these individuals and families. I recognise the potential increase in service pressures, which will have an impact across all Government services. As the situation is currently dynamic, including the number of Ukrainians that will come to Ireland, I am not in a position to provide an update on any potential changes to funding allocations at present.
