Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied with the availability of adequate resources to provide for the requisite services for children at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43152/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that significant extra resources have been allocated to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency for 2016. The gross funding allocation for Tusla in 2016 is €676 million, 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 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.

The additional resources are intended to alleviate service pressures in child welfare and protection services, in particular pressures being faced in the area of unallocated cases.

This level of provision addresses key priorities identified by Tusla in the pre-Budget discussions. 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 has issued a detailed Performance Statement to inform the preparation of Tusla's Business Plan for 2016. This Statement sets out the key priorities that I require of Tusla in the coming year. In accordance with the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla is required to submit a Business Plan for 2016, within 30 days of receipt of the Performance Statement which issued on 20 November 2015.