Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding his Department provided to an organisation (details supplied) in 2014; and in 2015; the portion of its budget this makes up; and if his Department will be providing ongoing funding support to the organisation in 2016. [36888/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of the Centre for Effective Services (CES) as a charitable organisation in 2008 reflected agreement, including a commitment to joint funding, by Atlantic Philanthropies, the Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to support the organisation. The purpose of which was to improve outcomes for children, young people, families and communities by working with a range of organisations in the not-for-profit sector, including government departments, statutory agencies and community organisations, to connect and support the implementation of effective policy, research and practice. CES operates on an all-island basis, with offices in Dublin and Belfast.

CES has been involved in a number of initiatives led by my Department since the Department’s commencement. CES provides support in a range of areas such as research, evaluation, implementation support and technical expertise in relation to the development of evidence informed policy and practice. My Department provides CES with an annual grant and agrees an output focused annual work plan in line with this funding provision.

The funding provided by my Department was agreed to cover the period from 2014-2016. As such, allocations are in place to cover 2016.

It should be noted that my Department is but one funder of the CES and that the organisation is actively diversifying in other areas outside children and young people and developing these revenue and funding streams accordingly.

My Department provided €481,000 in funding of CES for 2014, and has allocated €463,000 for CES funding in 2015. As well as this, my Department provides funding to Pobal for implementation, support, governance and evaluation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme. Pobal in turn provides funding to CES for their support in implementing and evaluating the ABC programme.

The total funding to CES from my Department, including direct payments and payments from Pobal, represented 33% of CES funding in 2014, and is estimated to be 28% of CES funding in 2015.