John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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1672. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the funding provided through Tusla for family resource centres (details supplied); if she will make additional funding available as part of budget 2018 which would provide for an equitable treatment of family resource centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38184/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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There are over 100 Family Resource Centres currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual Service Level Agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. The 2017 Tusla allocation to Family Resource Centres is €13.512m.

Family Resource Centres are independent companies limited by guarantee and they are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. The centres operate independently of Tusla and each individual centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.

Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty.

It is not possible at this stage to advise on what level of funding will be made available by Tusla to Family Resource Centres in 2018. This issue will be clarified in the context of the annual Estimates process and having regard to the overall level of funding available to Tusla in 2018.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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1673. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she with Tusla will review funding of a group (details supplied) in Dublin 22; if the funding model for this group will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38185/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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There are over 100 Family Resource Centres currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual Service Level Agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. The 2017 Tusla allocation to Family Resource Centres is €13.512m.

In 2015, the Centre referred to by the Deputy received funding from Tusla of €83,950. This funding was increased to €86,478 in 2016. At the end of 2016, the Centre received a once-off grant of €30,000 for the upgrade of equipment and infrastructure. The Centre was also provided with a once-off payment at the end of 2016 to offset financial difficulties.

Tusla is providing funding of €86,478 to the centre in 2017. An additional €8,000 has also been allocated to the Centre in 2017 in order to fund counselling and play therapy services, which is a new and very welcome initiative.

Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty.

It is not possible at this stage to advise on what level of funding will be made available by Tusla to Family Resource Centres in 2018. This issue will be clarified in the context of the annual Estimates process and having regard to the overall level of funding available to Tusla in 2018.