Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when decisions will be made by Tusla on applications submitted in December 2017 under the family resource centre scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7585/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre Programme. As part of Budget 2018, I was pleased to announce that additional funding of approximately €5.0 million is being allocated to existing centres and to support the expansion of the programme, with the inclusion of an additional 11 centres in 2018. The closing date for receipt of applications, by Tusla, was 20th December 2017.

Over €2.0 million of the additional funding announced in Budget 2018 was allocated to existing centres for investment in small works in December 2017. The remainder of this funding will be allocated to Family Resource Centres this year.

Tusla has advised that it has received a total of 43 applications for inclusion in the Family Resource Centre Programme from community organisations. Tusla is currently assessing all applications. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the assessment at the beginning of March 2018.

I highly value the work of Family Resource Centres across the country. Tusla is committed to using all available resources for children and families in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.