Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Minister values them and I remind him politics is all about choices. Even though we were in difficult economic times, the Government chose to cut funding to an agency that provides much-needed services and which works in the most disadvantaged parts of the community to support and help those communities and the families concerned. I again ask the Minister whether he will acknowledge that a small investment in this area provides significant returns for the money invested. In light of the significant returns it has given, will the Minister give a commitment that the funding cuts these centres have endured in recent years will be restored? Will there be a commitment to put this resource on a sustainable footing and that Tusla officials will meet representatives from the family resource centres to consider this in the future? Can the Minister confirm it is not the Government's plan to rationalise services like this, as it is doing at present in respect of the domestic abuse services?

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