Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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561. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update regarding a service (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41207/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Centre at Darndale experienced cash flow difficulties in recent months and the matter was the subject of debate within the House previously. It is my understanding that these difficulties have been alleviated as a result of the development and implementation of a revised business plan for 2014 which included the putting in place of cost control and operational measures, identified in a report prepared for the Centre by an external mentor. 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 indicated that income of approximately €1.8m was anticipated during 2014.

Senior representatives from the Child and Family Agency, Pobal, Dublin City Childcare Committee and representatives from the board and management of the Centre met on a number of occasions over recent months to ensure that the service would be in a position to 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. This review was completed over the Summer months.

Representatives from the Child and Family Agency have since met with the Board and management to review matters and in particular the progress in moving towards a sustainable business model for the Centre, reflecting the impact of the various measures adopted by the Board, including some recommendations from the external mentor.

The Child and Family Agency will continue to meet with the Centre to monitor the implementation of the Plan.

I understand that the range of measures identified, both by the Centre and by the external mentor, have provided the basis for a sustainable service and business model within available funding.