Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. We have two minutes each, do we?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to bring to the attention of the Minister the closure of Time 4 Us in Galway.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Má theasatíonn ón Teachta trí nóiméad a thógáil, tabharfaidh mé nóiméad di.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has suggested three minutes and one minute.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Gabh mo leithscéal?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Two and two is the normal procedure.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Two and two?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy would like three minutes I will take one.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Okay.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An bhfuil cead agam nóiméad amháin a thógáil?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Ceann Comhairle would have to have given prior approval for that. I am sorry. I do not have any latitude in that regard. If it had been discussed with the Ceann Comhairle prior to this, it would have been possible. The Deputy can register her interest, but that is all I can allow.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If the Deputies were agreeable to it, would I be allowed come in for a minute?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No. I cannot allow it. I must do my job too.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the clocks be reset to three minutes and one?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy may proceed.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Can we start the clocks again?

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I know that the Minister is aware of this issue as I tabled a parliamentary question on it. The Minister came back promptly with factual information on the numbers attending and so on. I appreciate that. However, my question was whether she had been made aware of the issue and what alternative steps she will take. The reason I asked that question is that we have received very urgent representations, primarily from the most important people, namely, the parents of the children who will be affected. That is more than 40 families. Unusually for them, people from the legal profession - solicitors and barristers - have got together to say that this is an essential service. They are publicly on the record as saying that this service must be kept. Therapists and various other professionals who use the service have also made representations to us in respect of this service.

This service was set up in 2007. It has been there for more than ten years. It has had two positive evaluations, one in 2008 and one in 2016. Both pointed to the essential nature of the service and to the positive effect on children. I do not have much time to speak on this but I will bring the Minister's attention to the conclusions of the 2016 report, where figures are given. It says that the service enhances the positive relationships between parents and children and so on.

They cannot do without this service. If it is closed, 40 or more families will be affected. Primarily, children will not see their fathers. It is run on a shoestring budget of approximately €80,000 per year and has four staff, one of whom is full-time.

We have spoken to the directors. The only difficulty seems to relate to the governance structure and providing cover at the weekend. Problems seldomly arise at the weekend. The house costs nothing because it is in Tusla's ownership. It will remain open and has ample space for the other services provided therein. A number of Deputies met the directors last week.

People with legal and psychological care backgrounds are happy to serve on the board, but they have never been contacted. Last Monday, the directors confirmed to us that it was an essential service and they wanted it kept open at all costs.

To repeat myself, it is run on a shoestring budget and there have been no problems on the ground. The problem with the governance structure is not insurmountable.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I compliment Deputy Connolly on the work she has done. Deputy Naughton has also done work on this issue. I support what has been said. It is important to recognise that all the Galway Deputies are concerned.

Governance has become an issue when trying to get people involved in boards because they are afraid of the responsibilities. It is fine when there is a large professional staff, but it would be a tragedy if important services were lost because people felt that there was too much governance and not enough backup to support it. Money is useful because, if a board has money, it can buy expertise.

This is a vital service and it should be supported. We must decide that, where services are concerned, structures can never be more important than the reality on the ground. Sometimes, important services cannot fit inside structures, but that is not a justification for not having the services.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If I may, I will briefly speak in support of my colleagues. This is a critical service in Galway. Many of its referrals come from the courts, solicitors and psychologists in the region. It would be a productive outcome of our discussions if the Minister agreed to meet us in an attempt to find a solution and keep this important facility open.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sorry to cut to the Deputy short but, unless the Ceann Comhairle allowed her contribution prior to this engagement, I cannot allow it.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Connolly and Ó Cuív, supported by Deputy Naughton and other Galway Deputies, for their queries. I welcome the opportunity to clarify the circumstances surrounding Time 4 Us and the wider picture of child contact centres. We all agree that the long-term goal is a quality service delivered to all children in all areas. However, it is important to ensure that any service delivered to children and families is of a high quality. Services must be appropriate to local needs and sustainable.

Child contact centres are safe, friendly and neutral places where children can spend time with the parent or parents with whom they do not live. The centre provides a child-centred environment that allows the child to continue a relationship with the parent at the child's pace and in his or her own way, usually through play and child-centred activities.

Services of this nature are used by children and families in a wide range of circumstances, some of which can be difficult or contentious. These centres may also cater to children whose parents are separated and cannot agree contact arrangements. Children in the care of Tusla, who need support to have access with their families, also use the service. I paid attention to Deputy Connolly outlining aspects of that in this case.

Time 4 Us was established in 2007. The service's purpose is to provide parents who do not live with their children with a facility where they can spend time together. A total of 41 families are currently using the service, 36 of which were referred by the courts or private family law services. I appreciate that Deputy Ó Cuív's concerns relate to the funding of this service, but I will draw his attention to the additional reasons given by the board of directors for closing the service. These include significant challenges in terms of board membership and sustainable governance, which Deputy Connolly referenced. Several members of the board wish to retire in the coming years and the board has struggled to find suitable replacements. It has also struggled to provide staff for weekend cover, which is a time of high demand.

Time 4 Us operates an on-call rota at the weekend to provide support to the staff in the centres. It previously received funding from the Departments of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and Justice and Equality as well as from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP. In 2016, the service's main funding came from grants from Tusla and the Galway City & County Childcare Committee, with the remainder coming from the SVP. However, the funding from the SVP has now ceased.

A decision has been made by the board of directors to cease the service on 31 March. Tusla will work with the board to identify alternative supports that current service users can avail of in the local area. It is important to ensure that the services provided for access and contact are safe, of the highest quality and sustainable.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I must reluctantly say that the Minister's answer was disappointing. It has been brought to her attention that this is an essential service. We cannot do without it. Indeed, it should be rolled out nationally. Of the reasons given, finance was not one. It is run on a shoestring budget. Staffing was not mentioned as a problem. Four staff run it. There were no difficulties at the weekend. The primary difficulty related to the governance structure, that is, covering the weekend.

Any number of people with adequate legal and psychological skills as well as other skills would serve on the board. That is not a difficulty. Rather, the problem is with the governance structure. Only three directors are necessary. Some want to retire, with which I do not have a difficulty. They have done a good job. The Minister is standing over the closure of this service because of a small problem with a governance structure. Tusla has to step in and recognise that it must provide active support at the weekend. Rarely does a problem arise. We asked about all of this. Will the Minister re-examine the matter and revert to us?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Connolly's comments. In a situation like this, the way forward is for people to meet face to face. It seems to be going out of fashion in many facets of our lives. I suggest that the people with responsibility for ensuring these types of service sit down, go through the issues and devise a solution. Governance has rightly grown more onerous, but we must ensure that it does not become a barrier to the provision of services. The assistance that is needed to provide that governance should be given. The only way for this situation to be resolved is through face-to-face discussions around a table with the appropriate authorities.

Money is an issue, given that the SVP withdrew its funding. Where there is enough funding, one can buy any governance expertise that is required.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My information is that the board of Time 4 Us made a decision to cease the service from 31 March, that issues of governance and board membership were key aspects of that decision and that there were concerns about staff in terms of weekend service provision. That said, I hear what the Deputies are saying. In particular, Deputy Connolly referred to how there were barristers and psychologists who were willing to serve on the board. That there were two positive reviews of the service is helpful information for me.

As the Deputies can imagine, I am concerned about how family breakdowns are stressful for children. Anything that can be done to assist them and their families in that context should have our support. The question is one of how to do that.

Deputy Connolly asked whether we could re-examine the matter. Deputies Naughton and Ó Cuív suggested a face-to-face meeting. I will commit to calling to arrange a meeting with members of the board - I will also ask Tusla to join us - in order to re-examine the situation and discuss the Deputies' points. I will revert to the Deputies subsequently.