Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will just reiterate the point that the Minister, Deputy Zappone, is very committed to supporting Tusla in its work, which we all acknowledge. Tusla is doing a very good job in the area of children, an area in which I have a particular interest having chaired the relevant committee previous to my current appointment. There was an additional €3 million allocated for family resource centres this year, which was very positive and which was an acknowledgement by the Government of the good work which they do and the need for them in communities. We are all in agreement with the Senator on that.

As I said in my initial reply, there were 47 applications. Only 11 were successful on this occasion. I cannot speculate on the level of funding which will we be made available in 2019 but I will sincerely be supportive and hopeful that an additional allocation will be made next year. If there is, I have no doubt that the Department will be more than willing to work with the Senator, the Mayo children and young people's services committee and the child and family support network for Erris and Ballina in order to identify the needs there and to recognise the very genuine and legitimate issue which the Senator has raised here today.