Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason Empowerment Plus, a youth and family support service for the west of Ireland, has had its Health Service Executive contract terminated; the reason there was no advance notice and no discussion with social workers or families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7414/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Empowerment Plus service is contracted by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in Galway only. Services provided by this organisation were previously offered to ten families.

I am advised by Tusla, that there were emerging concerns about the level and quality of the services being provided.

An audit was undertaken by the Agency and the findings were that the service was not fit for purpose. Subsequently a decision was made to re-allocate the ten families to Tusla services.

Tusla's primary concern was that no families would be inconvenienced or left without a service. The service was not terminated until this re-allocation had taken place and the Social Work service was informed throughout the process.

In relation to the Galway and Roscommon, Tusla will be commissioning a new Family Support Service in these areas and Empowerment Plus have been invited to tender for this contract.