Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals to provide a new service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8491/24]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the Family Resource Centre Programme, which supports 121 FRCs throughout the country. At present, Tusla has no plans to expand membership of the Programme.
Should membership of the FRC Programme be expanded in the future, Tusla has advised that a transparent process would be established to ensure all applications are treated fairly. This would include engagement with community organisations throughout the country that may wish to make expressions of interest. Service inadequacies and gaps in service provision are identified through Tusla's Commissioning process, which is carried out at local and national level on an ongoing basis.
Tusla has advised that any new process would involve examination of existing local commissioning plans to identify current and projected needs, informed by local demographics and current service provision. 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.
