Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1328. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of family resource centre funding applications received under the last round of funding by county in tabular form; the criteria used in determining the outcome of the applications; the nature of the appeals process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15110/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In Budget 2018, I secured an additional €3.0m for Tusla to support the Family Resource Centre Programme. The additional funding provided is being used to support the 109 existing Family Resource Centres, and also provides for expansion of the Programme with the inclusion of 11 new centres. Following a public application process, Tusla recently announced the eleven centres which are being included in the Programme this year. 

Tusla received a high number of applications, 47 in total, for inclusion in the programme. The criteria considered included the size and make-up of the geographical area; the social and economic conditions of the specified area; and the overall population breakdown of the area that would be serviced by the centre. The criteria also considered the structure of the organisation(s) applying to the Programme; their objectives, targets, and current relationships with other organisations; and the inclusion of available research, community projects, and needs assessments with the application. Tusla has advised that there is no process in place for appeals.

It is important that the needs of children and families are met in the best way possible, particularly in areas of disadvantage. Through its Prevention, Partnership and Family Support network, Tusla will continue to provide supports through the targeting of additional resources to services that will impact positively on vulnerable children and families. I will continue to support the work of Family Resource Centres and family support services throughout the country.

The number of applications to the Family Resource Programme, and their county of origin, are outlined in the following table.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1329. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the next round of funding for family resource centres will become available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15111/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As part of Budget 2018, I secured an additional €3.0m for Tusla to support the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2018, and was pleased to announce the inclusion of an additional 11 community organisations to the Programme.

It is not possible at this stage to speculate as to the level of funding that may be available to Tusla to further support the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2019. This issue will be clarified in the context of the 2019 Estimates process, and having regard to the overall level of funding available to Tusla next year.

I very much value the excellent work of the Family Resource Centres as they seek to combat disadvantage and to provide supports for the improvement of family life. The Family Resource Centre Programme emphasises the involvement of communities in tackling the problems they face, working inclusively with service users, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level.