Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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315. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plan he has put in place to ensure that adequate funding is made available to prevent the closure of a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31735/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply yesterday to Deputy Finian McGrath and Deputy Michael Kitt in this matter. It is a matter of record that the Centre at Darndale has been experiencing cash flow difficulties. The Centre incurred expenditure of €2.022m in 2013 and received funding amounting to €1.96m, resulting in a deficit of €62,000. Projections by the Centre show that income of approximately €1.8m is anticipated during 2014. With such a level of financial support available, it should be possible to work constructively to continue services and avoid the closure scenario that has been outlined by the Centre.

Senior representatives from the Child and Family Agency, Pobal, Dublin City Childcare Committee and representatives from the board and management of the Centre have met on a number of occasions to explore options available to ensure that the service can operate on a sustainable basis into the future within the allocated funding. A number of options were considered and to assist in this process, Dublin City Childcare Committee engaged the services of an external mentor to undertake an independent analysis. In parallel, a wider examination will be undertaken of the level and range of early years services supported by the State in the Darndale/Belcamp/Moatview area generally.

The Child and Family Agency, as one of a number of State funders of the Centre, kindly agreed to make additional pre-payments to the end of August while the review was being conducted. I want to acknowledge the support of the Agency in this regard. The payments were in addition to previous pre-payments advanced by the Agency for May and June. The Agency stressed that this is as much as they are prepared to commit to while the process outlined above is continuing.

I understand that the final report of the external mentor is due to be furnished to the Centre today. The Centre has already received a draft copy of the report. My officials met yesterday with representatives from the Child and Family Agency, Pobal and the Dublin City Childcare Committee, to discuss the findings of the report. I understand that the report identifies a number of recommended actions which, if implemented by the Board and management, will provide for a sustainable model of service delivery at the Centre, and within the current level of resources available. This is to be welcomed. Clearly, the content of the report will need to be considered by the Board and management, who are responsible for the day to day running of the Centre, but I would hope that the advice and recommendations provided, which are designed to assist the Centre, will provide a basis for ensuring the continued provision of services within the current resources available. Based on the analysis undertaken, I do not accept that the closure scenario previously outlined should arise. I want to acknowledge the support provided to the Centre and the constructive approach being adopted in addressing this matter.