Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for a breakdown of the 2015 and 2016 budget provided to Túsla - Child and Family Agency; the additional supports provided to the agency on foot of its business case; the range of initiatives that will be introduced on foot of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40934/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The total budget for Tusla in 2015 is €643 million. This is made up of €631 m in current funding and €12 m in capital funding.

In the Budget 2016 announcement I was successful in securing significant additional resources for Tusla. In 2016 Tusla will have an overall budget of some €676 m, which includes €662.4 m in current funding and €13.6 m in capital funding. This is an increase of over 5% compared to the 2015 provision.

The very significant additional provision being allocated in 2016 will ensure that the organisation, which is still in its early stages of operation, will have a strong base level of funding in order to meet known and anticipated costs arising in 2016. The increased level of funding is designed to assist Tusla in meeting identified service pressures and address areas of particular risk. This includes the full year cost of service pressures experienced in 2015. This level of provision addresses all of the key priorities identified by Tusla, and considered to be achievable in 2016. It will give rise to a substantial recruitment programme involving up to 400 additional staff in the Agency next year.

The increased capital provision will allow for a range of projects to be initiated and progressed including the development of new and improved special care facilities at Portrane and Ballydowd.

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 its funding base and secure the delivery of quality services.