Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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660. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an application by a group (details supplied) for a family resource centre will be examined; and the status of same. [9987/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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On Budget Day, I was pleased to announce that additional resources of almost €3.0 m were secured to support the inclusion of an additional 11 community organisations to the Family resource Centre Programme in 2018 and to support existing centres.

Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre Programme, and opened applications to the programme on 23rd October, 2017. The final deadline for receipt of these applications was 20th December, 2017.

Tusla has advised that it has received an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy.

Tusla is currently reviewing all applications that were received within the specified application period. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the assessment in March 2018.

Family support is a priority for me, and the increased level of funding for Family Resource Centres in 2018 reflects this. I will continue to support Tusla in its work with Family Resource Centres around the country.