Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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380. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase funding to the FRC National Programme, specifically an additional €8.5 million in core funding to ensure FRCs can continue to support children, families, individuals and communities throughout Ireland; if he will support the FRC National Programme in its goal to achieve an optimum core funding of €220,000 for all 121 family resource centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28171/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the FRC Programme, which supports 121 FRCs throughout the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, which amounts to some €24 million in 2024. Tusla has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the FRC Programme.

The Deputy may be aware that at the end of April I brought forward a funding equalisation scheme for existing FRCs, which will see all FRC Programme members receive additional core funding in 2024 and ensure that minimum core funding for all FRCs is at least €160,000 from 2025 onwards. This funding will support the pivotal role FRCs play in so many communities across the country by providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.

Any potential changes in funding are considered as part of the annual Budgetary process, which represents a significant number of competing priorities in a challenging fiscal space. It is my intention to seek funding in Budget 2025 to stabilise funding to existing Programme members and to explore options to increase the numbers of FRCs. Any expansion of the Programme will, however, be dependent on the success of my Budget negotiations.

The Deputy should also be aware that FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources.