Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her detailed response. I note that family resource centres receive varying funding allocations based on the size and population of the cathchment area. Is there a mechanism for existing family resource centres to make a case to the Department or Tusla for additional funding for extra services? Are there plans to provide capital grants for such centres? Newbridge family resource centre is bursting at the seams. It is using prefabs as extra accommodation and needs a capital grant to enable it to extend the existing building. Will a mechanism be put in place through which family resource centres will be able to seek to expand their premises? We are coming out of the lost decade. As the economy continues to improve, it is to be hoped funding for the Minister's Department will be increased in the next budget, as it was in previous budgets. I support the Minister in her endeavours in that regard because we have seen the great value for money she has achieved for the funding allocated to the Department in the previous budget. As overall funding increases, we must play catch-up. Funding for existing family resource centres such as those on the Curragh and in Newbridge must be increased to make up for the cuts they endured during the recession.

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