Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
402. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current staffing level in family resource centres; his views on whether this is sufficient to cope with the additional work that will transpire with the arrival of refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure you that I am deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine. We are monitoring the situation closely and my Department is ready to assist in our national response as the EU develops a coordinated approach to supporting Ukrainian nationals seeking international protection. I am liaising with my EU colleagues and Cabinet to ensure an effective humanitarian response.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding to 121 Centres across the country. Ukrainian nationals seeking international protection arriving into the State will effectively be part of the community and have access to health services, accommodation, education for children and other social supports. This includes services such as FRCs, which will be available to these individuals and families. I recognise the potential increase in service pressures will impact across all Government services.
FRCs operate independently of Tusla, with a Board of Management, and are responsible for determining their staffing requirements to meet service demand and recruitment of these employees. Staffing is, ultimately, the responsibility of each FRC’s Board of Management. I greatly value the work of FRCs and expect that they will play an important role alongside the hundreds of C&V sector bodies that will assist in the national effort to support families arriving from Ukraine.
