Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the 45% reduction in funding from the Family Support Agency for an agency (details supplied) in Galway; if this decision will be reviewed in view of the important work being done by this organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37954/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The organisation is question provides a professional counselling psychology service for adults in a community based setting that is accessible to people from marginalised and disadvantaged communities. It also provides counselling services for individuals, couples, families and groups. In addition, it provides clinical supervision and training in the psychology of counselling and supervised placement for trainee counsellors. They are also a resource for voluntary agencies in the local community addressing a wide range of social and psychological issues.

The organisation has received funding from the Family Support Agency since 2000 under the Scheme of Grants to Voluntary Organisations providing Marriage, Child and Bereavement Counselling Services. In 2000, the organisation received €10,160, and this figure increased each year up until 2009. In 2009, it was one of 29 organisations selected for three year multi-annual funding.

The Family Support Agency, like all other State bodies, has been asked to make savings across all the programmes which it administers. Expected savings over the period 2012 – 2014 are set out in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. In 2012, the organisation in question received €77,000. The Family Support Agency is acutely aware of the challenges that any reduction in funding presents to organisations, and has asked the organisations it funds to focus in particular on addressing the scope for greater efficiencies. The objective of this is to continue to support, as far as possible, the services that are provided to local families and groups.