Capital Expenditure Programme

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Ceisteanna (652)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

652. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capital funding available from his Department for the delivery of new child and family centres that receive core funding from Tusla; and if, in the absence of any such funding, he is aware of any other capital funding sources from within Government, State agencies or other bodies that could be accessed to fund a new-build child and family centre. [43189/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I am responding in the context of the Family Resource Centre Programme, whose core funding falls under the remit of my Department and is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. In relation to capital funding, I wish to inform the Deputy that neither my Department nor Tusla have capital funding to develop the capital infrastructure of Family Resource Centres, including delivering new centres. Tusla does not have a dedicated budget for capital or building works for third party organisations.

The Family Resource Centre Programme is a community development programme that is financially supported by many State agencies in a partnership approach. FRCs may draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources. I would suggest, in relation to any proposed new-builds, that the local County or City Council be considered as a starting point in the context of capital funding.