Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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640. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a funding allocation will be made to a group (details supplied) for 2021; if a commitment will be given that Tusla will honour section 20 of the Tusla agreement pertaining to the dispute with a centre and ensure the present funding will not be altered prior to a final arbitration; his plans to retain this service for counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12775/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I am aware of discussions between Tusla and the organisation to which the Deputy refers, with regard to the agreed level of funding in 2021. The organisation is commissioned by Tusla to provide a service, for a specified funding allocation, covered by an annual Service Level Agreement (SLA). The details of any funding arrangement between Tusla and a third party, covered by an annual Service Level Agreement (SLA), is an operational matter for Tusla.

Tusla has advised that Section 20 of the SLA between Tusla and all funded bodies provides for a dispute resolution process. Tusla is open to engaging with funded organisations through this mechanism to resolve any differences constructively and has advised that it will continue to work with the organisation to which the Deputy refers to achieve a satisfactory outcome. The SLA must be signed so that this dispute resolution process can be established and in order to comply with obligations in the distribution of public funds. I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.