Martin Heydon
Ceist:34. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to review the funding of existing family resource centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18845/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 May 2018
Ceisteanna (34, 36)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:36. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of family resource centres here; and her plans to roll out more centres. [18787/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (8 píosaí cainte)
I very much welcome the 11 new family resource centres announced recently by the Minister, two of which will be in Kildare, doubling the number in the county. Athy family and community centre and Teach Dara in Kildare town are very grateful and worthy recipients of full family resource centre status. My question is about the funding model in place for centres which predate the 11 announced recently such as Newbridge family resource centre and Curragh Pride in Kildare, and plans for a review of that model.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 36 together.
As Deputy Martin Heydon is aware, family support is an important priority for me, as reflected by the increased level of funding for family resource centres in 2018. Family resource centres are front-line services rooted in the communities they serve. They act as a focal point within their communities and provide an holistic service to support children and families. They operate an open-door policy and provide many services and development opportunities at a universal level, while also proactively targeting specific cohorts within their communities.
As the Deputy is aware, 109 family resource centres were in receipt of funding from Tusla at the end of 2017. Tusla was provided with additional funding of €3 million in 2018 to expand the programme, with the inclusion of 11 additional centres, two of which are in Kildare.
Two.
The additional centres brought to 120 the total number of family resource centres.
I acknowledge that the Deputy's question is about existing family resource centres and the increases they can receive. This year family resource centres will receive an increase of up to €10,000 in funding. Funding for individual family resource centres varies, depending on a range of factors, including the size and population of the catchment area, the degree of economic disadvantage in the area and the existing distribution of services in the area. Decisions on funding levels for 2019 will be taken in the context of the Estimates process. It is not possible at this stage to advise what level of funding will be available to the family resource centre programme next year. However, I strongly value the work of family resource centres in communities throughout Ireland and will be making a case for continued investment in them in 2019 and beyond.
I thank the Minister for her detailed response. I note that family resource centres receive varying funding allocations based on the size and population of the cathchment area. Is there a mechanism for existing family resource centres to make a case to the Department or Tusla for additional funding for extra services? Are there plans to provide capital grants for such centres? Newbridge family resource centre is bursting at the seams. It is using prefabs as extra accommodation and needs a capital grant to enable it to extend the existing building. Will a mechanism be put in place through which family resource centres will be able to seek to expand their premises? We are coming out of the lost decade. As the economy continues to improve, it is to be hoped funding for the Minister's Department will be increased in the next budget, as it was in previous budgets. I support the Minister in her endeavours in that regard because we have seen the great value for money she has achieved for the funding allocated to the Department in the previous budget. As overall funding increases, we must play catch-up. Funding for existing family resource centres such as those on the Curragh and in Newbridge must be increased to make up for the cuts they endured during the recession.
The Deputy has made a good suggestion in looking at existing family resource centres. As he is aware, the priority in budget 2018 was to open new family resource centres, as well as trying to give more to existing centres, subject to the initial maximum figure of €10,000. There will be scope for engagement on different ways to make decisions on existing family resource centres according to the criteria I have identified. The Deputy's suggestion and raising of the issue are helpful in the context of their being the kind of things Tusla will consider as we move forward. I specifically highlighted the need for additional capital investment in family resource centres in the context of the development of Project 2040 or the national development plan. I will revert to the Deputy to specify my hopes in that regard for the coming year. I am aware of the need for capital investment in family resource centres.
I thank the Minister for her response. This is the time of year in which to make a case for increased funding in advance of the budget and clearly show what could be done with that funding. The Minister acknowledged the vital role played by family resource centres in their communities by recently opening 11 new centres, two of which are in south Kildare. However, we must also ensure provision will be made for the existing 109 family resource centres, including those on the Curragh and in Newbridge which I specifically mentioned and of which I have an in-depth knowledge. Such centres do fantastic work, as the Minister acknowledged, as does Tusla. We must ensure such centres can make a case for more funding where they see new programmes that would benefit the community or recognise that far more could be done with a little extra funding. It is to be hoped that in future budgets extra resources will be made available for such centres as the economy continues to improve.
As the Deputy may be aware, I spoke recently at the 20th anniversary conference of the family resource centre programme which was held in Dublin Castle. It was an incredible celebration of their great history. Centres are beginning to make representations, including those referred to by the Deputy. I will be delighted to continue to engage with them at a national level, as well as with individual family resource centres.
Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.