Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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25. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will meet with key stakeholders of an organisation (details supplied) with a view to ensuring that it can continue to offer the full range of crucial support services to vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45827/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I have received correspondence from several members of the Oireachtas, regarding the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I have also received detailed correspondence from the management of the organisation detailing the nature of the valuable work that they do, the cost pressures they are under and the reasons they wish to receive State funding for their family support service in order to ensure its sustainability. 

The provision of family support services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have raised the concerns of the Deputy and others regarding the future funding of this organisation with Tusla.

Tusla has advised me that senior staff members met with representatives of the organisation in question in relation to its request for funding. At present, Tusla provides some €1.6m in funding to that organisation for the provision of residential care and services to children and young people. Tusla also funds a range of family support services in communities throughout the South Dublin area and will continue to keep the need for family support services under review.

Tusla has also advised the organisation of the Counselling Grants Scheme, which provides funding  for counselling or therapeutic support services. Tusla has provided details on how to access this funding. Tusla understands that access to this particular funding would provide some support.

Following contact with some of my colleagues, arrangements are being made for me to meet with stakeholders of the organisation over the coming weeks.