Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to introduce a family resource centre at a location (details supplied); the way in which an application can be made in relation to same; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23076/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is responsible for the administration of the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. Tusla identifies and monitors the need for the delivery of family support services based on many factors, such as emerging service needs and changing demographics.

Should a new FRC application process be established, Tusla's criteria for such a process would involve Local Area Commissioning planning in order to identify service delivery requirements based on population demographics, presenting and projected needs. Service inadequacies and gaps in service provision are also identified through Tusla’s Commissioning process. It should be noted that any increase in funding for the FRC Programme is dependant on the total funding available to Tusla in 2021.

Tusla will continue to work with Family Resource Centres and other community organisations to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities. The application by any community organisation to the FRC Programme is an operational matter for Tusla, and accordingly I have requested that Tusla respond to you further on this matter.