Tusla statement on 2016 budget allocation

Commenting on the budget allocation to Tusla - Child and Family Agency, Chairperson Norah Gibbons welcomed the government’s commitment to children.  Acknowledging the work done and commenting on the tasks which remain to make Tusla an effective and sustainable organisation, Ms Gibbons said: “We have come a long way and today Tusla is in a much better place to really grow our response to the needs of children and families.”

The budget of €676m for 2016 will allow Tusla to address critical shortcomings such as the number of children and families awaiting services.  It will enable the improvement of special care facilities and support the roll out of services such as the National Child Care Information System.  It will also allow the organisation to develop an ICT system to support frontline work and data management.

Speaking at the confirmation of the 2016 budget Fred McBride, Tusla’s Chief Operations Officer says:  “As outlined in the recent briefing to the Cabinet Sub Committee on Policy and Public Service Reform, improved services will have significant long-term benefits both for children and families, as well as the State, in terms of health and wellbeing, educational and economic outcomes.

“Having received its allocated funding for 2016, Tusla will continue its commitment to improvement of services and intends to do so in an open and inclusive manner. This budget allocation will allow Tusla to put its core services on a sustainable funding.”

ENDS