Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept that. There are two centres in County Kildare. I was told there are 18 in Kerry. The Deputy raised the issue and we must consider it. This is critical in the work of Tusla, which is supporting 109 communities in this regard with the family resource centre programme. It provides core funding to the established programme, which it has managed since 2014. This is the largest family support programme, delivering universal services to families in disadvantaged areas across the country.

The Deputy asked if we have enough of these and that is a another issue. I accept we must look at that and certainly feed the information back. There is a significant spend already relating to family resource centres. At the same time, I know we are developing processes relating to the family, parenting and prevention, particularly with the support of Atlantic Philanthropies. I am considering if there is a way to engage family resource centres in a more proactive way for children who are homeless or in emergency accommodation. I accept the Deputy's questions and concerns. I have explained what we are doing but there is additional scope for the future.