Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

Earlier today I attended a briefing by the Family Resource Centre National Forum. I think we can all agree that FRCs are tremendous services. They are holistic, engaged, progressive, they provide vital interventions for families and individuals at all stages of life. In Waterford city we are very fortunate to have three excellent centres, Sacred Heart, Brill FRC and St. Brigid's, but there is a glaring gap if one looks at the map of FRCs on this island. A contiguous area covering much of west and mid Waterford, south Tipperary and east Cork, towns like Dungarvan where there is demonstrably huge need are left without any family resource centre. In recent weeks, there have been 49 applications made to establish new FRCs and only five of those, around 10%, were approved.

Existing centres are under huge pressure just to keep going. They are seeking €240,000. I am sure they have been in touch with the Minister’s Department on core funding a proper capital scheme to invest in new centres and funding for counselling supports. Will the Minister commit in his budget to giving the family resource centre sector the support that it needs and urgently requires?

See this speech in context