Robert Troy
Question:70. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the need to review the funding streams for FRC’s. [32577/23]
View answerTuesday, 4 July 2023
Questions (70)
Written answers
Thank you Deputy for your question, this is an area of interest for me. I have attended many Family Resource Centre events, including their National Forum's recent anniversary celebration.
I recognise and value the very positive impact of the work of the Family Resource Centres in supporting families and local communities. The centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre Programme which provides funding support to 121 Family Resource Centres across the country. In 2019/2020 all Family Resource Centres were awarded an additional 5% once-off funding to support FRCs through the Covid period.
In 2022, all FRCs were awarded an additional 4% increase to their core funding. The Family Resource Centres programme has also benefited from Dormant Account funding €650,000 in 2021 and €1 million in 2022 with similar funding secured for 2023. I am aware that Family Resource Centres are providing significant levels of assistance on the ground in communities who are welcoming Ukrainian people and I have provided specific funding to allow Tusla to continue to support Family Resource Centres in those efforts.
I should inform the Deputy that the funding from my Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to Family Resource Centres nationally. Family Resource Centres draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments and agencies.
I will continue to engage with Tusla, and Family Resource Centres on the key issue of their funding and sustainability of the valuable services they provide to our communities. I will consider Tusla's provision of Family Support Services in my Performance Framework for Tusla for the period 2024-2026.
In the meantime, Tusla continues to work with community-based family support organisations to best meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities.