Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

There is enormous support across the House for the work of the family resource centres. They do such a diversity of work. Wherever they identify a need, they step in automatically. They often step in even without having any tranche of funding coming to them. They do it where there is a need. I am a big admirer of their work. I recognised that in budget 2026. We have secured that a further ten family resource centres will be announced.

I was also very keen that we would have an opportunity to increase the funding that is going to the centres as well. Those who are at the minimum rate of €1.60 would go to €1.80. For some that meant a full €20,000, and for others it could have meant €18,000 or €10,000. It depends on various factors. More of them were in receipt of more than €180,000. Suffice to say that they are very much in my line of vision and will be for the coming years, please God.