Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
550. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to anomalies in the funding of family resource centres by Tusla in which some centres are funded for two full-time staff and some for three full-time staff; her views on whether this system is equitable; her plans to address this anomaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41468/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are over 100 Family Resource Centres, FRCs, currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual Service-Level Agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution toward the running costs of the centres. The 2017 Tusla allocation to FRCs is €13.512 million.
Tusla has advised that, since its establishment in 2014, the budget model which it uses to allocate funding to individual centres has had regard to the location, size and catchment area of each FRC.
As previously highlighted to the Deputy, FRCs are independent organisations. They are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. The centres operate independently of Tusla and each individual centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.
Tusla has developed a strategy for the future commissioning of services. The strategy is based on a comprehensive needs analysis and review of current service provision. It will take account of the total resources available to the Agency, the statutory duties assigned under legislation and services that can best be provided by partner agencies and statutory organisations to support the continuum of care at local and national level.
It is important that the approach adopted ensures the best possible use of resources, ensures that services commissioned in the future are aligned with the strategic objectives of the Agency, maximises outcomes for children and families and improves the users’ experience of services. The approach adopted must also provide a platform for ensuring efficient, affordable services into the future.
Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to vulnerable children and families in demographically diverse communities around the country.
