Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
It is my intention to consult with parties by way of briefings as the output of the deliberations
which are currently underway emerges. I also envisage that the issue will be dealt with in the
Joint Committee on Health Children and Youth Affairs. It is my intention to seek approval
from Government for the proposed wording, with a view to holding the referendum this year.
Questions Nos. 75 and 76 answered with Question No. 66.
Family Support Services
77. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cuts in
funding to the Family Support Agency community based counselling services, including genesis
psych and family therapy service in Dublin 15; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that
these cuts will lead to the closure of these services; if she will review this decision; if she will
renew the funding of these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3807/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Family Support
Agency, under my Department, operates the Scheme of Grants to voluntary organisations
providing marriage and relationship, child and bereavement counselling services. Some 600
organisations receive funding each year, including the organisation in question, which is one of
28 larger organisations that receive multi-annual funding under the scheme.
On 5 December 2011, the Government announced the funding levels being made available
to my Department in 2012. As part of the national effort to address Ireland’s fiscal deficit, the
Family Support Agency, like all other State bodies, has been asked to make significant savings
across all the programmes which it administers.
The Agency is required to achieve savings of €1.265m (12%) in 2012 on the Scheme of
Grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage and relationship, child and bereavement
counselling services. The Agency is acutely aware of the challenges that the reduction in funding
raises for the voluntary organisations concerned and has asked the larger organisations to
focus on identifying the scope for greater efficiency through reducing administration and overhead
costs in order to protect the front line services.
In 2012 an allocation of €26.465m has been made to the Family Support Agency to fund its
services. This includes funding of over €9.4m for the Scheme of Grants for the counselling
organisations. The Agency has recently invited applications for the 2012 funding and an application
form has been sent to the organisation in question.
Health Service Staff
78. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the public
sector retirement scheme will affect front line child protection services; and if she will make a
statement on the matter. [8097/12]
100. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the
number of social workers who retired during this month or who are due to retire this month;
the Health Service Executive areas in which they are based; her plans to replace these
employees that are retiring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8054/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I propose to take
Questions Nos. 78 and 100 together.
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