Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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478. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capital costs associated with establishing a brand new family resource centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11458/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

I should inform the Deputy that the funding from my Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to FRCs nationally. FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments and Agencies. Tusla does not have a dedicated budget for capital or building works for third party organisations.

I recognise and value the very positive impact of the work of the Family Resource Centres in supporting families and local communities. The Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community. This universal accessibility allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions, and timely referrals to appropriate services for more intensive and targeted work as required.