Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words.

I welcome the opportunity to respond to the issue raised by Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Michael Mullins. I acknowledge the important work done by Ballinasloe Therapeutic and Learning Centre in providing a multidisciplinary service for children and families in the local community of east Galway. The centre has been in operation since 1983 and the services provided are designed to ensure the developmental needs of children can be supported and addressed at an early stage.

The issue raised by the Senators relates to the level of funding provided for the centre by the Child and Family Agency. The agency has advised that the level of funding provided for the centre has been reduced by €19,000. The agency provides funding for family support and speech and language therapy services. The reduction in funding, in the order of 2.5%, is required to introduce further efficiencies within the service and as a consequence of the development by the newly established agency of early intervention teams and the redeployment of staff. This has reduced somewhat the requirement to source services externally. I am assured by the agency that no child has been disadvantaged as a result of the realignment of services.

The continuing significant level of support from the agency is being provided at a time when all service providers are faced with particular challenges arising from the need to restore order to the public finances. In addition to the funding provided by the Child and Family Agency, my Department provides funding under the community child care subvention programme which is administered by Pobal and through the early childhood care and education programme. Funding under the community child care subvention programme for the centre for the period from September 2013 to September 2014 will exceed €16,000, while funding provided under the early childhood care and education programme amounts to €44,000 in the period from September 2013 to May 2014.

The Government is making a very significant investment, totalling more than €260 million, in child care programmes nationally. This means that close to 68,000 children benefit annually from child care places as a consequence of this expenditure. Despite the challenging budgetary position, we have succeeded in maintaining the preschool year as a universal and free programme, ensuring a significant number of children can avail of quality preschool services who would not otherwise be in a position to do so.

The Senators will appreciate that all service providers in receipt of State funding have had to generate efficiencies in service delivery. While I appreciate the challenges involved and those outlined by the Senators, we need to ensure all resources available to support the provision of early years services are fully maximised. The approach of the Child and Family Agency as outlined is consistent with this objective.