Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the number of family resource centres in County Kildare in view of the level of current centres relative to population, in particular, community centre locations in Kildare town and Castledermot as possible locations for new family resource centres in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22337/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy for his question.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the Family Resource Centre Programme. Under the Programme Tusla provides financial support towards the running costs of Family Resource Centres (FRCs) nationwide. There are currently two FRCs in County Kildare that receive funding under the Programme. They are based in Newbridge and the Curragh.

The total core funding allocation for FRCs in Kildare last year was €214,000.

I recognise that County Kildare has experienced a significant increase in its population base, and that there is a strong demand for services in the area. If additional funds are sought by Tusla and allocated to the Programme in the future, there will be scope to review the potential to increase the level of support provided to centres.

I should emphasise that Family Resource Centres are not owned and managed by Tusla - rather Tusla provides financial support to the centres. The establishment of new Family Resource Centres does not come under the remit of Tusla.