Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

570. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which she remains satisfied that the budget of her Department remains sufficient to meet the challenges of the future in terms of the provision of children and youth support facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51830/19]

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

My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of children and youth support facilities to young people throughout the country.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the gross amount of funding being made available to my Department for 2020 is €1.60 billion which represents an increase of 5% over its allocation for 2019. The allocation includes a current provision of €1.57 billion and a capital allocation of €31 million.

Almost half of the total funding, or €817 million, is targeted at public services within Tusla to protect children and to provide for their welfare. A further €628 million will help us to continue to develop an accessible, affordable and high quality childcare system.

I am satisfied that the significant additional resources secured for 2020 will enable my Department and its agencies build on the good work achieved to date. The extra funding continues this Government’s commitment to provide high quality services for children and young people.