Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020
132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the amount of the funding allocated to Tusla in Budget 2021 which will go towards the delivery of the expansion of the in-house model of therapeutic services to children and carers in Tusla as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32103/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the recent budget, I was pleased to be able to secure an increase of €61m for Tusla, bringing the Agency’s total budget allocation for 2021 to €878m.
The Programme for Government commitment to which the Deputy refers is based on a flexible and integrated model of care which aims to support children, young people, families and carers in contact with the care system in one Tusla area (Dublin North Central). My officials will engage with Tusla to explore how best this model can be further developed as part of Tusla's service response for children and young people. This will be done having regard to the provision of related services offered by other state agencies and in the context of resource considerations.
Tusla business planning processes for 2021 are ongoing, so specific budgetary determinations for 2021 have not yet been made regarding funding for specific sectors or measures. These processes will, in the coming weeks, establish funding allocations and key priorities for 2021, which will be outlined in Tusla’s 2021 Business Plan early in the new year.
