Written answers

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child and Family Agency Establishment

Photo of Ciara ConwayCiara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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517. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the way the Child and Family Agency has been rolled out in County Waterford; her views on the changes that have been implemented or are planned in relation to infrastructure, including an update on the buildings that are being used and by whom; her views on whether these premises belong to the Health Service Executive, her Department or if rents are being paid in respect of same and at what cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16008/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Child and Family Agency was established on 1 January, 2014. It involved bringing together nearly 4,000 staff from three separate organisations, the HSE, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. The establishment of the new Agency with a budget of over €600m represents one of the most ambitious and far reaching public sector reforms undertaken by the Government.

In preparation for the disaggregation of services from the HSE a comprehensive log of all premises was compiled setting out the locations from which child and family services operate. This log includes premises used exclusively by child and family services, rented accommodation and premises shared with HSE services. The Agency is committed to working with the HSE to ensure arrangements continue to meet both their respective needs. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency and the HSE has been agreed which sets out a range of provisions that support the functional delivery of services by the Agency.

Child and Family Services operate from a range of properties in the Waterford area, only one of which is rented exclusively for Child and Family Services at St. Andrew's Terrace, Newtown. Another is rented on a shared basis at Johnstown. The remaining premises are in the ownership of the State.

A new facility at Belmont, Ferrybank which currently houses an Early Years Service on the ground floor will shortly accommodate some of the Agency's local child and family services. This premises has a long term-lease at nominal cost. Its construction was funded by a number of State Agencies, including the HSE, and two adjoining Local Authorities using once off capital funds. Additional capital funding was allocated to fit it out to meet the needs of the Agency. There are no plans for additional facilities in this area.

Photo of Ciara ConwayCiara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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518. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the way the Child and Family Agency, CFA, has been rolled out in County Waterford; the number of staff now employed by the CFA in Waterford and the region; the number of these employees that have been transferred from the Health Service Executive; the numbers of new staff that have been recruited and to what roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16009/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The new Child and Family Agency, TUSLA, was established on 1 January 2014 and operational arrangements were completed in advance of this date to ensure the smooth transition of service provision, staff and service management. In the South Region, there are a total of 1,047 people employed, equating to 918.1 whole-time equivalents (WTE). Of these, 236 are employed in the Waterford/Wexford area and all of these transferred from the HSE. A further eight staff are still due to transfer from the HSE to this area. Two social workers have been recruited for the Waterford area since the Agency was established with a further five positions being processed.

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