Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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673. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of a new family resource centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24512/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla has advised that the Family Resource Centre (FRC) referred to by the Deputy is now established. A Board of Management is in place and the Centre is in receipt of a budget of €115,000 from Tusla under the Family Resource Centre Programme.

The centre in question is the new hub for family support in the region. To date, the centre has received approximately €85,000 in core funding from Tusla. In December 2016, a small grant of €27,500 was also provided by Tusla for the provision of equipment.

The centre is currently operating from temporary accommodation. A building has been identified in the area which is considered suitable for the centre to operate from. Communications are ongoing with a view to securing a long-term lease at a nominal rent. The Board of Management is hopeful that a lease will be agreed shortly.