Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I'd like to thank the Deputy for his question and extend my sympathies to the affected community at this very sad and difficult time.

Firstly, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is available to assist with the immediate aftermath of such cases. NEPS psychologists work with both primary and post-primary schools and are concerned with learning, behaviour, social and emotional development. NEPS provides assistance to all schools that experience critical incidents, including those that may not have an assigned NEPS psychologist. School authorities seeking support can contact their local NEPS office for assistance.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has advised me that Tusla's Mid-West local area has arranged a meeting with the Chairperson of the Abbeyfeale Community Council to discuss the matter further.

The Local Tusla area fund a part-time Family Support Worker with West Limerick Resources that covers the catchment of Abbeyfeale. This service works with disadvantaged and vulnerable families specifically focusing on improving parenting skills and child/parent relationship. This service provides practical family support and where appropriate signpost and support families to engage in other support services.

The Deputy may be aware that the commissioning of Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla. Tusla’s Area Managers engage in the commissioning process and participate in meetings and discussions with community and voluntary bodies regularly. Tusla aims to utilise the total resources available in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.

Currently there is no expansion plan to increase the number of Family Resource Centres. The Tusla National Commissioning Office have received several requests to become members of the FRC Programme from organisations in various parts of the country. In the event the FRC Programme is expanded, a transparent process will be established to ensure all applications are treated equitably. The Tusla Area Commissioning Plan will be a critical contribution to the decision-making process. If a new process is established, it will be published, and local Tusla Managers will be made aware of the process.

Organisations that wish to join the Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance, with regard to potential next steps. There are no plans to expand the FRC Programme or to establish new funding schemes for the Programme in the immediate future. Any such plans would depend on the availability of additional funding for the Programme, and decisions on the most appropriate use of such funding within the Programme. Tusla does not have a capital funding allocation to fund the building of new FRCs.

In addition, my Department in conjunction with the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service has recently concluded and published a spending review of Tusla-funded Family Support Services. The Review is a comprehensive analysis, focusing on the Family Support Services policy landscape, commissioning and governance, and trends in Family Support Services expenditure in recent years. The Review will be key to next steps in the area of Family Support Services including the FRC programme.

The below Family Resource Centres in the wider area may also be in a position to offer support to the local community during this difficult time:

• Northside Family Resource Centre Clonconnane Road Ballynanty, Limerick Phone ; 061326623 offer Counselling therapeutic services.
• Southill Family Resource Centre CLG 267 Avondale Court, O'Malley Park, Limerick Phone ; 061440250 Family/ Individual and Child counselling/Creative therapy services
• Croom Family Resource Centre CLG Croom Mills, Church Street. Croom Limerick Phone ; 061602878 Therapeutic Services (Counselling, Play Therapy)
• Hospital Family Resource Centre Knockainey Road Hospital, Limerick Phone; 061383884 Adult & family counsellor. Adolescent therapy. Equine Therapy, Play and Creative Arts Therapy provision for children aged 4 - 12.