Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in the context of the €676 million in funding for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for 2016, which is a welcome and significant increase, he has received a business plan from the agency; and if the Houses of the Oireachtas will have an opportunity to examine the intended spending arrangements. [42645/15]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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This question asks, in the context of the welcome €676 million in funding for Tusla, whether the Minister has received a business plan from the agency and if the Houses of the Oireachtas will have an opportunity to examine the intended spending commitments.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to be able to inform the House that significant extra resources have been allocated to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for 2016. The gross funding allocation for Tusla in 2016 is €676 million, representing an increase of €38 million over the 2015 allocation. This includes €662.4 million in current expenditure and €13.6 million in capital expenditure.

The overall level of funding that I have provided will significantly strengthen Tusla's base funding level and will give the agency greater capacity to respond to current risk and anticipated demand.

This level of provision addresses key priorities identified by Tusla in pre-budget discussions. It will also give rise to a substantial recruitment programme involving up to 400 additional staff in the agency next year. This increased capital provision will allow for a range of key projects to be initiated and progressed.

In accordance with the agency's establishing legislation, I have issued a detailed performance statement to inform the preparation of Tusla's business plan for 2016. This statement sets out the key priorities that I require of Tusla in the coming year. I have since met the board following receipt and initial consideration by Tusla of the 2016 performance statement. In accordance with the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla is required to submit a business plan for 2016 within 30 days of receipt of the performance statement, which issued on 20 November last.

I will be happy to discuss the content of the performance statement and business plan at my next appearance at the relevant Oireachtas committee.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin agus as ucht an ardaithe mhóir de €38 milliún sa bhuiséad do Tusla don bhliain seo chugainn, agus cuirim fáilte roimh sin. I certainly welcome the increase in funding of €38 million for Tusla this year. I commend the Minister for that and for bringing the figure up to €676 million. I also welcome the €19 million provided by Tusla to the organisations which carry out vital work in relation to physical and sexual abuse, €4 million of which is for the Rape Crisis Centre. In a recent reply to a question, the Minister stated that future planning for domestic violence and sexual violence services will seek to address gaps and avoid duplication. I suppose my concerns relate to the level of consultation and engagement that is taking place, hopefully, between Tusla and the organisations. It is particularly important to avoid the problems which arose when Tusla decided to change the system of collecting statistics and information, which is clearly vital for delivering and designing such schemes. This decision impacted on the Galway Rape Crisis Network, which was previously undertaking this work.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Caithfidh mé a rá go mbeidh airgead eile againn níos déanaí. Beidh Meastachán Forlíontach ann freisin agus beidh a fhíos agam cé mhéad a bheas i gceist níos déanaí inniu nó b'fhéidir amárach. I am happy that we have additional moneys to address any legacy issues and I will know the precise figure later today or early tomorrow.

As the Deputy will be aware, there are many areas that need to be addressed. One of the big areas has been the issue of unallocated cases. Tusla undertook an audit to get accurate figures on this because they were being measured in different ways in different parts of the country.

It has done a very good job in that regard and I complement it. I asked it to submit a business plan to address the issue, which has been ongoing for decades. It gave me a three-year plan, which it also priced. We have given it the moneys in full to address the issue in the coming year. Three years of additional moneys will have to be in place in order to address the issue.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister touched on the second free preschool year in earlier questions. What level of consultation and communication is there between the stakeholders, including the child care providers, on this year? Others touched on concerns regarding capacity. What level of engagement has been or is planned to be undertaken?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department is in regular contact with the providers' organisation on this matter. There was considerable consultation before the plan was executed and announced. It is an ongoing and dynamic situation. People and providers will decide where they would like to set up. Others may decide to expand. We live in a market economy and competition laws apply. We would like to support those who are already engaged in providing these services expand but, equally, we will encourage new people to enter the market where services are not currently being provided. We also must bear in mind that there will be other opportunities as a result of the increased provision for the community child care subvention programme. There will also be opportunities perhaps to use school facilities after school hours because teachers will not be providing the care. It will be provided by preschool child care givers who have a specific set of skills. We want to make it clear in those settings that the child does not think he or she is still at school. It needs to be a very different experience.