Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

583. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when family resource centres will receive notification of their 2019 allocations; if existing centres will see their annual budget increase in line with the budgets of new centres which opened in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9333/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding of some €18 million is being made available to the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2019, which is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. This is an increase of €1.5 million over 2018 funding.

The notification of 2019 annual funding allocations to individual Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla. I have requested Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

As highlighted, additional funding of €1.5 million has been secured for Family Resource Centres to support and develop existing Family Resource Centres this year.

I met with officials from Tusla last week to discuss how the additional funding will be used to provide supports and improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families within the Family Resource Centre Programme. I have requested some additional information and recommendations from Tusla. I hope to make an announcement with regard to the additional funding of €1.5m for FRCs before the Easter break.

I am committed to the further development of Family Resource Centres and I will continue to seek funding for them in future budget discussions. It is important that the needs of children and families are met in the best way possible, particularly in areas of disadvantage. I will continue to support the work of Family Resource Centres and family support services throughout the country.