Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
48. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement he has had with Carlow County Council on the provision of a community hub in Carlow on the Tullow Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25681/23]
View answerEarlier this year, I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with representatives from Carlow County Council to discuss this matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, the organisation which is due to be the main tenant of this facility is Carlow Regional Youth Services. This service receives €128,726 in annual funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to provide a range of services to children and young people in Carlow and its environs. They also receive funding from my Department to various youth projects under UBU - Your Place Your Space, a single youth funding scheme that targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services aimed at securing improved outcomes.
Tusla does not provide capital funding for projects such as this. Tusla remains in close contact with Carlow County Council on development of the hub. Organisations that wish to join the Family Resource Centre programme are advised to contact Tusla with regard to potential next steps. Any potential future expansion of the programme would be achieved in a fair and equitable fashion.
As regard the community hub, I understand a funding application under the Community Centre Investment Fund-2023 New Build, administered by Department of Rural and Community Development, is being prepared. Carlow County Council were invited to apply for capital funding under this initiative.
Tusla will continue to liaise with Carlow County Council and involved organisations and monitor the progress of establishing the community hub on the Tullow Road.
