Vol. 541 No. 2
812 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his response to the submission from the Community Action Network regarding the family resource centre programme; and if he will meet a delegation from this group to discuss this matter. [21816/01]
The Deputy will be aware that the Family Support Agency Bill was published on 13 July. The legislation provides that the Family Support Agency will: provide a family mediation service, support, promote and develop the provision of marriage and relationship counselling and other family supports and support, promote and develop the family and community services resource centres programme. The new agency will undertake research, provide and disseminate information about parenting and family issues and provide advice to the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs on matters relating to its functions.
The Family Support Agency Bill brings together the main programmes and pro-family services developed since 1997 in line with Government commitments in the Action Programme for the Millennium and the reviewed action programme. The Government has allocated some £12 million in the Estimates of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in 2001 for these services. The legislative initiative will involve the transfer of responsibility for these programmes and services from the Department to the new agency.
A number of technical and practical details have been identified for resolution in consultation with the family and community resource centres and their support agencies to ensure the smooth transition of responsibility for support for the family and community resource centres programme to the new agency.
