Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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681. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to report on the resources she is making available for parenting support as part of an early intervention and prevention initiative for anti-social and-or criminal behaviour; the linkages that will be made with the Department of Education and Skills in these respects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14771/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Statutory provision in relation to young people involved in crime is set out in the Children Act 2001. The Irish Youth Justice Service, based in my Department and staffed by officials from my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality, oversee the operation of the Act and all relevant policies and programmes.

There is significant investment in community based programmes which are directed at diverting young people from further involvement in criminal or anti-social behaviour. In 2016, just under €17 million has been allocated by the Department of Justice and Equality to the Irish Youth Justice Service to administer Garda Youth Diversion Projects, Young Persons Probation Projects and a number of other youth diversion community-based projects. These projects also benefit from support under the European Social Fund.

In addition to Garda Youth Diversion Projects, there are 109 communities supported through the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme (FRC programme) which is operated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and which provides services and supports to local communities. Tusla provides core funding to its established network of 107 Centres nationwide, and two outreach Centres. Tusla is providing funding of approximately €13m this year. The primary role of the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme has been, and will continue to be, prevention and early intervention. The main the role of Tusla is to provide family support, the same way as it does for families in the general community, by providing guidance and parenting supports through its locally based services such as the provision of parenting programmes. The Centres emphasise the involvement of local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level. Family Resource Centres involve people from marginalised groups and areas of disadvantage at all levels of the organisation.

The Educational Welfare Services of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency operate under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, which emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. The statutory and school support services of the Child and Family Agency's Educational Welfare Services work together collaboratively and cohesively with schools and other relevant services to secure better educational outcomes for children and young people.

Schools are obliged by law under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 to submit reports on school attendance to the Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency.