James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh as ucht an cheist seo. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis na mórceisteanna seo a tháinig chun solais maidir leis an ionad acmhainní, Aonad Resource Centre, i mBéal Átha Ghártha i gContae na Gaillimhe, a phlé.

The Ballygar resource centre is one of over 100 family resource centres which has been in receipt of funding from the Child and Family Agency. In 2014 the agency has provided funding in excess of €12 million to support the work of these centres. Family resource centres, funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of children and families. Family support forms an integral and central part of the remit of the Child and Family Agency. The establishment of the agency, a key priority for Government, brings together family support services which previously were the responsibility of two State organisations - the HSE and the Family Support Agency. It provides a platform for better integration of these services.

The issue raised by the Senator relates to the level of funding provided by the Child and Family Agency to Aonad Resource Centre. The centre has been in receipt of funding under the family resource programme since 2002. The budget allocation to the centre for 2013 was €140,220 with €138,400 available in 2014. I am advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency that in September 2014, the voluntary board of directors took a decision to close the centre.

Arising from the board's decision, the Child and Family Agency undertook a review last month of the operation of the centre. One of the key conclusions from the review was that Aonad Resource Centre Ltd., was not functioning as a fit and proper family resource centre for the benefit of the whole community. I understand that the current directors of the company are in agreement with this view.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has accepted the decision of the voluntary board of directors to close the centre. The board has advised Tusla that the centre closed on 1 December 2014, as the Senator has pointed out. Tusla has indicated that if a future application is received in regard to service provision in the area, it will be considered in the context of the agency's overall approach to the commissioning of services.

The Child and Family Agency will continue to support the work of the many family resource centres around the country in providing valuable support services to families in need of support.