Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
456. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the family support services available to families in Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart, Citywest and Brittas; if he will report on the progress in recruiting a child and family support network for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36027/22]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides family support services, through both internal Tusla family support provision and the commissioning of services through its community and voluntary sector partners.
In the Tusla Area Dublin South Central/ Dublin West, which caters to Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Citywest, 33 family support services were commissioned in 2021. This includes services provided by external organisations funded by Tusla, and services delivered through the Child and Family Agency. Brittas is covered by the Tusla Area Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow, in which 31 family support services were commissioned in 2021.
The Tusla Family Support Service based in Bridge House, Cherry Orchard Hospital provides Family Support Services primarily to Tusla South West referrals coming from Saggart, Newcastle and Rathcoole. Other funded services based in Clondalkin, like Deansrath Family Centre, ABC Blue Skies and Quarryvale Family Resource Centre also provide some services when they have capacity.
Under the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme, 121 Child and Family Support Networks (CFSNs) have been set up across the country. The networks help to support integrated and co-ordinated supports for children, young people and families at local community level. Members of CFSNs come from a variety of agencies and local community and voluntary services such as primary care, social work, early years’ services, sports clubs, youth probation services, schools, etc.
A Child and Family Support Network Co-ordinator post for Dublin South Central/ Dublin West has been advertised and Tusla is actively recruiting this post through a current recruitment campaign. This post will enable the Area to establish a much-needed Child and Family Support Network in the Newcastle/ Rathcoole/ Citywest/ Saggart area.
Brittas is not located in the new CFSN network planned for Saggart, Newcastle and Rathcoole. Brittas is covered by the new West Wicklow CFSN network.
As part of the annual 2022 Spending Review process, DPER and my Department are conducting a review of Tusla Family Support Services and a report will be published later this year.
