Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Family Resource Centres.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

229 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has received representations regarding his proposed family support and mediation service taking over responsibility for the family resource centres under the community development support programmes; the measures which can be put in place to ensure consultation with the stakeholders in the process in order to establish the most appropriate way forward; the nature of the support which will be available to the family resource centres in the north eastern region; the way in which the community development and anti-poverty aspects of their work can be nurtured and supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20565/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Following proposals drawn up by me, the Government has agreed to the establishment of a new family support agency which will bring together the main programmes and services developed by me since 1997, in line with the commitments in An Action Programme for the Millennium. The legislation for the new agency will be published shortly and I intend to bring it to the House for deliberation in the early autumn.

This development will mean the transfer of responsibilities for various programmes and services, including support for the family and community resource centre programme from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to the new body.

The new body will have its own staff and budget. It will be overseen by a board appointed from people with expertise and experience which is related to its responsibilities. It will work in partnership with each of the sectors for which it is responsible. In carrying out its functions it must have particular regard to Government policy in relation to social inclusion.

The agency will be an important resource to the work of the family resource centres enhancing the role and capacity of these local community initiatives in responding to the needs of families at neighbourhood level.

There are detailed and practical issues to be worked out in the context of the development of the new agency. Officials of my Department will meet the Family and Community Services Resource Centres Forum on 6 July to discuss the new arrangements.

I have received representations on behalf of two community support agencies including the support agency in the north east. The community support agencies are funded by my Department to work with local community development projects and with family resource centres. The community support agencies concerned have been invited to meet officials of my Department to discuss any issues arising on the establishment of the agency.

The agency will provide a comprehensive and coherent response for families in need of the support services and for families generally. It will be a dedicated agency and a resource for all those involved in the promotion of family well-being.