Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Only last week the Minister launched the annual report for 2010 on behalf of the family resource centre national forum. In the course of the address by the chairperson of the FRCNF, Mr. Packie Kelly spoke about loss of employment and reductions in household incomes being very isolating experiences for families. He further stated that Ireland's network of family resource centres has been actively building up a range of initiatives that enable families to stay in touch and feel supported through difficult periods. They have found that after-school clubs and arts programmes are excellent ways of reaching out to families who are not otherwise engaged in community activity. They outline an entire range of activities including homework clubs or parent and toddler groups. Mr. Kelly stated that some such interventions might seem trivial but that is not at all the case. From my knowledge and experience of the four family resource centres in my constituency, namely, Killeshandra, Cavan, Clones and Monaghan, I can state they do excellent and critically important work. It is very important that this work is allowed to continue and flourish, particularly in these more challenging and difficult times.

In the absence of the Minister's ability, pre-budget, to give me the assurances I would like and which family resource centres need, can she indicate how many times the taskforce on the child and family support agency, which was established in September, has met? Is it being resourced in regard to the work it must undertake? Will the taskforce examine issues of financial distress as being among the reasons children are placed in care? This is an extremely important issue. If families are in distress and that is the underlying reason children may not be able to continue in the home environment, this of itself requires an intervention by other Departments. That needs to be highlighted. If that is the case and the taskforce discovers and highlights it - I know of cases where that box would be ticked - will it be addressed accordingly? How long will the taskforce continue its deliberations? When does the Minister expect it to report?

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