Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy's question relates to the Family Support Agency and family resource centres. The overall allocation to the FSA was €31.7 million in 2011, of which €16 million was allocated to the resource centre programme. Substantial funding is given to local centres and I wish to support them in whatever way possible, given budgetary constraints. The Deputy knows our budgetary constraints are significant.

The taskforce has met on a number of occasions. I will get back to the Deputy with the exact detail. The task force is working actively. A number of subgroups of the taskforce are working on various issues relating to governance, management and the transition from the HSE to the new agency. I expect to receive preliminary reports within the next couple of months. I am working towards the establishment of the new agency by January 2013. I hope that will happen.

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