Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The programme for Government is supportive of the provision of family resource centres which provide community development and family support services in towns throughout the country. Longford town has a population of 10,000. It has the highest truancy levels in the State by population. It has the highest number of referrals to Tusla and it has the most diverse population in the country. Yet, in the recent application, we were unsuccessful in securing funding despite putting together a needs assessment with all the organisations working on the ground in Longford to highlight the need. The need we have for a family resource centre was shown. We have a building and we have a board but we do not have the money. We were not successful despite the highest need across all those levels in the country.

I am looking for a commitment that in budget 2026 we will provide money for additional family resource centres and that Longford, which has the highest need in the country, and that need is factual, will be successful in what it needs, namely a family resource centre based in the town.

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