Tusla – Child and Family Agency Statement on Budget 2018 Allocation

Tusla – Child and Family Agency welcomes the announcement that the agency will receive an additional €40.6m in funding for 2018 from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This represents a significant increase on 2017 and brings the agency’s annual funding for 2018 to over €750 million*. The Budget 2018 allocation will enable Tusla to respond to increased demands on the agency, progress key service developments and expand the provision of community-based supports through Family Resource Centres (FRCs).

• Tusla will establish 11 new FRCs at a cost of approximately €1.76 million in 2018 taking account of set-up, running costs and staffing requirements. An application process will be announced shortly.
• 109 existing FRCs will be asked to work with their local Tusla office to identify services needed in their community and up to €10,000 will be available to each FRC subject to approval of their proposal.
• €15 million will support existing services and the recruitment of 164 staff required to meet increasing demands.
• €10 million will be used to build-up frontline service capacity and to recruit 199 staff to address critical areas, including the management of unallocated cases and the implementation of the Child Protection and Welfare Strategy.
• €5 million will allow for the implementation of further service developments for: the full commencement of the Children First Act; the establishment of a single, national out-of-hours social work service; and the implementation of the Child Protection and Welfare Strategy.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone said: “I have travelled throughout the country listening to frontline care and social workers, young people and parents. The increases in Budget 2018 are a direct result of their experiences. We are increasing protection and support for those who need it most and building on the hugely important work of Family Resource Centres. I am also particularly proud to be the Minister which has brought the Tusla budget to over €750m for the first time.”

Fred McBride, Chief Executive, Tusla, welcomed the support of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone T.D., and Government, and the recognition of the complex, demand-led work undertaken by the agency to improve outcomes for children and families. He said: “We are pleased that the Government is committed to developing Tusla services so that children and families receive a timely, proportionate and appropriate response, and that they can access the right service at the right time.

“The agency is undergoing a significant transformation programme across the country which will bring consistency to social work practice through the Signs of Safety approach and improvements in core areas such as governance and HR.”

Commenting on the Budget 2018 allocation, Jim Gibson, Chief Operations Officer, Tusla, said the additional €40.6m in funding will assist the agency in developing services in key areas. “The increase will further support preparations for the introduction of mandatory reporting, the establishment of a single, national out-of-hours social work service and will allow for the establishment of 11 new Family Resource Centres at a cost of €1.76 million.”