Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
100. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions he is taking to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) is adequately funded and prevent it from having to initiate closure procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55759/23]
View answerI acknowledge that CARI offers an important and vital service to children who have experienced sexual abuse, and the support offered by the service to the parents of those children. I understand the vital role CARI play in providing therapy to those who have experienced sexual abuse and it is acknowledged how important this service is for children and their families through an extremely distressing and difficult time. It is a great pleasure that the matter has now been resolved.
After detailed discussions between CARI and Tusla an agreement has been reached for 2024. Tusla’s funding to CARI for 2024 would continue as core funding and local funding in line with 2023 allocations, with some additional funding allocation and support:
* Primary budget allocation for 2024 will be €625k (€336k core funding & €289k service funding, which includes an increase of 25k on 2023).
* As CARI is part of the Barnahus development , CARI will receive an additional €150k allocation for this service in 2024.
Therefore, the total budget allocation for 2024 from Tusla will be 775k (€625k & €150k). CARI CEO and the Board have committed to implement a service model in line with this budget, and Tusla have agreed to fund independent support to help CARI with the development of this revised business plan/service model for 2024.
