Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left)
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39. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the serious funding crisis in Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, whereby 5,000 children, some at significant risk, are awaiting allocation of a social worker, with some children being left at risk of serious harm according to a briefing document from the agency's chief executive; how his Department is addressing this serious crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35512/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Tusla 2016 Estimates business case identified a requirement of €137 million over a three year period. This included a request for additional capital funding of €11.5million.

I was pleased to be able to allocate significant extra resources to Tusla for 2016. The overall level of funding that I have provided will significantly strengthen Tusla's base funding level and will give the Agency greater capacity to respond to current risk and anticipated demand, addressing areas of currently unmet need during 2016. The 2016 gross funding allocation under Budget 2016 includes an allocation of €676 million for Tusla, representing an increase of €38 million over the 2015 allocation. This includes €662.4 million in current expenditure and €13.6 million in capital expenditure.

The additional resources are intended to alleviate service pressures in child welfare and protection services, in particular pressures being faced in the areas of unallocated cases, private residential and foster care and Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy. In addition my Department expects to provide supplementary funding of approximately €20.7m to Tusla in 2015.

This level of provision addresses all of the key priorities identified by Tusla and considered to be achievable in 2016. The funding provision will give rise to a substantial recruitment programme involving up to 400 additional staff next year.

In accordance with the Agency's establishing legislation, my Department will be issuing a detailed Performance Statement to inform the preparation of Tusla's Business Plan for 2016. This Statement will set out the key priorities that I will require of Tusla in the coming year. I am very pleased that having asked Tusla for a detailed business case setting out the basis for seeking additional resources in 2016, I have been able to provide significant extra funding that will strengthen there funding base and secure the delivery of quality services.