Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
204. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider introducing minimum core funding for family resource centres in counties Longford and Westmeath under the national family resource centre programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47382/22]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 Family Resource Centres across the country. My Department allocates core funding for the Family Resource Centre Programme and since 2018 has provided an additional €4.5m bringing Tusla's core budget to €18.0m for Family Resource Centres. Tusla had also provided supports to Family Resource Centres and other funded Community and Voluntary partners to assist with pressures arising from COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Tusla received €0.650m funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund; which was distributed through the Family Resource Centre programme. In addition, during in 2021, this Department provided €6.2m (a once off 5% increase in funding to organisations engaged as 'service providers' under section 56 of the Children and Family Act, 2013). In 2022, additional funding of €6.0m is allocated to enable Tusla increase supports to the wider Community and Voluntary sector.
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. Local Tusla Area Managers and the Tusla Commissioning Team can be contacted in relation to Family Resource Centres' planned service delivery and any potential to develop services.
There are currently no plans to alter the funding model for Family Resource Centres.
