Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2017
214. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of units operated by charities (details supplied); the number of permanent staff; the number of volunteers, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52320/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of units operated by charities (details supplied) that have closed due to lack of funding from 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52321/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to fund the re-opening of the Waterford unit operated by a charity that closed on 1 December 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 to 216, inclusive, together.
I can inform the Deputy that I have no function in relation to the charities to which she refers. I can also inform the Deputy that I have no role in the decision taken by the charity to close the Waterford Unit to which she refers. My understanding is that alternative arrangements have been made for children who accessed this service. At this point, I have no plans to fund the re-opening of the unit and have not received a request to do so. I understand that the national helpline service will continue to operate on a 24 hour basis and that the service to children in the Waterford area is not affected by the decision to close the unit. I hold the charity in question in high regard. The charity has met with my Department recently and outlined their vision for the future of their services nationally and I expect the charity will be in contact with my Department further in 2018 when it has further developed its proposals.
