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

I thank the Minister for her response. This is the time of year in which to make a case for increased funding in advance of the budget and clearly show what could be done with that funding. The Minister acknowledged the vital role played by family resource centres in their communities by recently opening 11 new centres, two of which are in south Kildare. However, we must also ensure provision will be made for the existing 109 family resource centres, including those on the Curragh and in Newbridge which I specifically mentioned and of which I have an in-depth knowledge. Such centres do fantastic work, as the Minister acknowledged, as does Tusla. We must ensure such centres can make a case for more funding where they see new programmes that would benefit the community or recognise that far more could be done with a little extra funding. It is to be hoped that in future budgets extra resources will be made available for such centres as the economy continues to improve.

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