Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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978. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the additional funding to be provided to family resource centres in 2019; the increase for each existing centre and new projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45413/18]

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 additional funding of €3.0m 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. 

In Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce a €33m increase in funding for Tusla. In the coming weeks, I will issue Tusla with its 2019 Performance Statement, indicating my priorities for Tusla next year, which includes the investment of targeted funds for further development of Family Resource Centres.

Tusla will continue to work with Family Resource Centres 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.