Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 460: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her vision for the future of the family resource centre programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32404/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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There are 107 family resource centres throughout the country funded by the Family Support Agency. The aim of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level. In 2011, funding of €15.897m has been provided to the Family Support Agency for the programme.

The family resource centres provide a range of services for families and groups at local level. These include information, education and training opportunities, childcare, breakfast, homework and after school clubs and youth work services. The family resource centres have an important role to play, in harnessing local community efforts, in support of improved outcomes for children and young people which is a key objective of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Plans for the future development of the Family Resource Centre Programme will be formulated in the context of the arrangements for the new Child and Family Support Agency and in consultation with the Family Support Agency.