Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre Programme. As part of Budget 2018, I was pleased to announce that additional funding of approximately €5.0m is being allocated to existing centres and to support the expansion of the programme, with the inclusion of an additional 11 centres in 2018. The closing date for receipt of applications, by Tusla, was 20 December 2017.
Tusla has advised that it has received a total of 43 applications for inclusion in the Family Resource Centre Programme from community organisations, including the centre to which the Deputy refers. Tusla is currently assessing all applications. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the assessment at the beginning of March 2018.
I highly value the work of Family Resource Centres across the country. Tusla is committed to using all available resources for children and families in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.