Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1206. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of whole-time equivalent staff who have been funded at Clones family resource centre in each of the years 2020 and 2021, and to date in 2022; if additional staff places will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42093/22]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
I can, however, confirm that since the establishment of Tusla in 2014, the Agency has funded many organisations, mostly in the community and voluntary sector, to deliver services on its behalf under sections 56 to 59 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, including Family Resource Centres. It should be noted that these organisations operate independently of Tusla and are responsible for the recruitment of their employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed. Section 56(14) of the Act of 2013 stipulates that ‘an arrangement under this section shall not give rise to an employment relationship between a service provider, its employees or agents on the one hand and the Agency on the other’.
The commissioning of Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla. Tusla’s Area Managers engage in the commissioning process and participate in meetings and discussions with community and voluntary agencies. Tusla aims to utilise the total resources available in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.
