Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
1693. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the budget for the family resource centre programme will be increased in line with the 5.5% increase in funding to Tusla's budget allocated by the Department of Finance in budget 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1108/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1694. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will investigate the possibility of ring-fencing €21.126 million within the Tusla budget for the family resource national programme to support voluntary boards of management in meeting the basic operational costs for the 109 family resource centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1109/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1693 and 1694 together.
Tusla set a budget of €13.5m in 2016 for the Family Resource Centre Programme. In December, 2016, and in recognition of the valuable work that the Family Resource Centres do, Tusla provided additional funding of €1.422m to the 109 Centres around the country. These grants were once off exceptional payments to the Centres to assist with the upgrade of equipment and other remedial works.
The precise level of funding to be allocated to the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2017 is being finalised by Tusla, having regard to the totality of funding, which will exceed €700m in Exchequer support, an increase of €37m over 2016. Following consideration of, and commencement of the process to implement Tusla's Business Plan for 2017, service providers, including Family Resource Centres, will be informed of their budget for 2017.
