Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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585. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide details on the number of new family resource centres that will be funded in the upcoming programme; and her views on whether an area (details supplied) is in need of a family resource centre. [41778/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme.

In Budget 2018, I secured an additional funding of €3.0 m for Tusla to support the Family Resource Centre Programme. The additional funding was to support existing Family Resource Centres and for expansion of the Programme with the inclusion of 11 new centres, which means that 120 centres will be operational by the end of 2018.

I understand that the Walkinstown and Greenhills Resource Centre made an application for inclusion in the Family Resource Centre Programme last year but was unsuccessful.

Tusla has advised me that it met with representatives from Walkinstown and Greenhills Resource Centre in July, 2017 to discuss local community needs and Tusla's commissioning priorities. Tusla is acutely aware of the level of need in certain areas, and is actively working to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Tusla will continue to work with Family Resource Centres and other family support organisations throughout the country and will discuss service needs and funding resources with centres where appropriate. Tusla is committed to using all available resources for children and families in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.

In Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce a €33 m increase in funding for Tusla, which will include targeted funds for further investment and development of the Family Resource Centre Programme.