Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

148. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on a matter regarding a family resource centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19066/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Family Resource Centre referred to by the Deputy has been in receipt of funding under the Family Resource Centre Programme which is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Centre’s budget for 2015 is set at €90,453.

I am advised by Tusla that representatives met with members of the Voluntary Board of Management last December regarding the provision of funding to the Centre under the Family Resource Centre Programme. The Centre has been without a full-time Co-Ordinator since March 2013. This has impacted on the management and operation of the Centre in terms of services to children and families in the community and the continued development of the Centre in line with Tusla’s priorities.

Tusla fully recognises the need for community-based family support services serving the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare. Tusla will continue to work with the Centre and representatives from these communities to ensure that the funding currently available under the Family Resource Centre Programme is directed to a community-based service that is operating to its full potential and best supports and promotes the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families, in line with Tusla’s priorities.

In this regard, a decision has been made to establish a new Family Resource Centre based in Kenmare to serve the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare. A new legal entity will be formed. The current Voluntary Board of Management of Kenmare Community Care will be re-constituted. It will initially include community representatives from the Family Resource Centre referred to and Kenmare Community Care.

In time, it is proposed that the new Voluntary Board of Management will also include community representatives from Tahilla, Castlecove and Kilgarvan. The detail of this will be a matter for discussion and agreement under an agreed process which is being managed and facilitated by Tusla. The first meeting in this agreed process is to take place later this month.

Tusla has advised that the existing Family Resource Centre will continue to administer its Programme funding until the process is completed and will continue to receive Tusla funding for counselling services during the process.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the provision of funding to a group (details supplied), based on correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19123/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The group referred to by the Deputy is a specialist support agency which was contracted by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to provide support, advice and training for Family Resource Centres across the area of disability awareness and staff/volunteer training in personal advocacy for people with disabilities. The organisation is funded by Tusla up to the end of June 2015. I am assured by Tusla that existing Family Resource Centres have the capacity to deliver the services in question to an appropriate level.

In seeking to improve outcomes and wellbeing for children and young people, Tusla must ensure that it makes the most efficient use of its resources in a way that is efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable. Tusla is giving priority in 2015 to the protection of front-line services and those which are best aligned to the priority outcomes as set out in the Agency's Corporate Plan. Tusla values the work of the agency in question and recognises the impact of its work across the Family Resource Centre Programme. However, having regard to Tusla's priorities and the overall level of resource available, it is necessary to focus on those services operating more directly at the front line.

Tusla is in receipt of Exchequer funding of €643m in 2015 which represents an increase of €34m or 5.3% over 2014. The level of funding provided represents tangible evidence of this Government's commitment to improving services for the most disadvantaged children and families.