492. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the planning undertaken regarding the demand, supply and funding of service delivery across regions. [66510/26]

Thank you, Deputy, for your question regarding the demand, supply and funding of Tusla service delivery across regions in relation to child and family projects.

The Department recognises that importance of the work of Tusla in delivering vital child and family services and in managing a complex, demand-led environment. It recognises in particular the excellent work of Tusla's front line staff in supporting vulnerable children and families in the areas of child protection, welfare and family support services.

Tusla's assessment of the demands on its services is largely informed by the number of referrals made to it. These referrals have been increasing year on year and exceeded 100,000 in 2025. Tusla implemented a reform programme at the beginning of the year. All referrals are taken through its Unified Front Door model, assessed and, where further action considered necessary, allocated as to a professional as appropriately. This model allows Tusla to quantify demand and to plan its service delivery on the basis of service need.

The Department is committed to ensuring Tusla has the staffing and resources required to meeting the demands for its services. This commitment is evidenced by the year-on-year increase in the funding provided to Tusla. Its budget allocation has increased by more than 50% since 2020. Tusla’s allocation increased by 14% in Budget 2026 and its annual budget is now in excess of €1.4 billion.

Tusla have committed to using the total resources available for children and families in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children. This approach to Commissioning requires Tusla to consider distributing resources in a more transparent, outcomes-focused, evidenced informed and participatory way.

The provision of family support services is a key element in meeting Tusla’s statutory obligation to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children, and to support and encourage the effective functioning of families. They include centre-based and in-home services, parenting programmes, counselling and therapy, as well as youth education and training services.

Additional funding of €3.2m was secured in Budget 2026 to increase baseline funding for all FRCs up to €180k per year and to add an additional ten new centres, bringing the total to 136 FRCs. This was a €20k (12.5%) increase from the previous baseline funding level of €160k.

The Department allocates core funding for the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme through Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla administers the FRC Programme, which supports FRC Programme members throughout the country. Core funding supports the pivotal role FRCs play in so many communities across the country, where they provide a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.