Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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576. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a centre (details supplied) will be funded as a family resource centre. [9053/19]

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

I am aware that the organisation to which the Deputy refers made an application for inclusion in the Programme last year but was unsuccessful.

I have secured an increase of €34 million in funding for Tusla in 2019, which will include targeted funds for the further investment and development of the Family Resource Centre Programme this year. However, there are currently no plans to establish any new Family Resource Centres in 2019.

Tusla has advised me that the centre’s application has been retained on file in the event that additional funding becomes available for the establishment of new Family Resource Centres.

Tusla will continue to support the organisation to which the Deputy refers through its local office.

Tusla has identified, and continues to monitor the need for family support services in specified areas of the country, including the Dublin 12 area. Tusla plans to allocate future funding according to the results of needs analysis projects across the country.

Tusla continues 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.