James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 109 communities supported through the Family Resource Centre Programme which is funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides core funding to Family Resource Centres to cover the employment of two to three members of staff and some overhead costs. The Family Resource Centre Programme's funding for 2015 provided by Tusla was €13.09 million.

Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are front-line services rooted in the community they serve. Acting as a focal point within their community, Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community. While Family Resource Centres operate an open-door policy and provide many services and development opportunities at a universal level, they also proactively target specific cohorts within their communities.

In addition to funding individual Family Resource Centres in 2015, Tusla also provided funding of €60,000 to the Family Resource Centre National Forum (FRCNF) to assist it in providing support to Family Resource Centres around the country. The Agency fully appreciates and values the work of the Forum as a support network working with all the Family Resource Centres throughout Ireland.

As the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla for next year. Tusla will have available to it some €676 million in funding, representing an increase of €38 million over 2015.

The precise level of funding to be provided to Family Support Centres for next year will now be considered by Tusla in developing its Business Plan for 2016, which will be sent to me for consideration.

The Government, since its establishment, has attached particular priority to supporting vulnerable children and families and the significant increase in funding being made available to Tusla next year represents further evidence of our delivery on this ambition.