Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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150. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the possible closure of a service (details supplied); if so, the plans that have been put in place to streamline the service and to ensure that the service continues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3555/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Time4Us is a Play Centre for family members who wish to spend time with children that they do not live with. This can be parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings or other family members.

Time4Us Ltd is a Registered Company, limited by guarantee.The service initially opened on the east side of Galway city and later moved to a HSE/Tusla owned property on Shantalla Road on the west side of Galway City.

The main source of referrals is from the courts and solicitors in private family law cases. Referrals are also recived from parents, mediation services and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.  Of the current 41 open cases the referral origin is as follows:

Time4Us in the past received funding from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Justice. Funding ceased as a result of austerity measures and this led to a shortfall of approximately €30,000. For the past three years the St. Vincent de Paul in Galway, through the Maureen O'Connell fund, provided €30,000 to bridge the gap but this funding has now ceased.

Tusla, has informed me that the Board of Time4Us has decided to cease the service on 31st March 2018.

I understand that Tusla are working with the Board of Time4Us to identify any alternative supports, within Tusla's area of responsibility, that may be available to families in their local area.