Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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200. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the process in place if a group wishes to establish a family resource centre in a town; and when can an expression of interest be placed for same. [29282/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. As the FRC Programme is managed by Tusla, it is a matter for that organisation to make decisions regarding the inclusion or non-inclusion of Family Resource Centres to the programme.

Tusla has advised that when an expression of interest is received from a group to establish a Family Resource Centre, a meeting with the group in question is arranged. There is significant demand from many established Family Resource Centres, as well as new groups that wish to join the Programme. Tusla has advised that all applications to join the Programme are kept on file.

I would like to acknowledge the valuable work of Family Resource Centres (FRCs), and I very much value the positive impact of their work in supporting families and local communities.