Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
94. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the need to review the funding streams for family resource centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9663/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre programme, funding 121 Family Resource Centres (FRC). Where possible I make it a point to engage with FRC, they play a pivotal role for so many communities across the country providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.
My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, which amounts to some €20m. Tusla has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the FRC Programme.
I am aware that FRCs are providing significant levels of assistance on the ground in communities who are welcoming Ukrainian people and I have provided specific funding to allow Tusla to continue to support FRCs in those efforts.
In addition, the successful outcome of talks with Unions representing workers in these organisations at the WRC last October has seen an increase to pay related funding that will amount to 8%:
• 3% from 1 April 2023
• An additional 2% from 1 Nov 2023
• And a further 3% from 1 March 2024.
Disbursal of funds has commenced.
I should inform the Deputy that FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources.
Any potential changes in funding are considered as part of the annual Budgetary process, which as you know represents a significant number of competing priorities in a challenging fiscal space. The focus from now to 2026 will in the first instance be to stabilise funding to existing programme members and based on available funding begin to explore options for expanding the programme.
