Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware that the town of Dungarvan, County Waterford, has no family resource centre; her views on whether it is appropriate that a large town such as Dungarvan would be without important community infrastructure of this type; and if she will commit to working across party lines and across Government to address this deficit. [4184/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that there are no members of the FRC Programme based in the town of Dungarvan.

I can inform the Deputy that an additional €800,000 was secured in Budget 2025 for the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. This additional allocation will allow for expansion of the FRC Programme membership in 2025, by providing core funding to new Programme members. Core funding supports the pivotal role FRCs play in so many communities across the country, where they provide a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla administers the FRC Programme, which supports FRC Programme members throughout the country. Core funding principally covers the salaries of staff.

In addition to core funding, FRCs can draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources. Such funding can allow FRCs to extend the scope and reach of their services.

Regarding the expansion of the FRC Programme, I wish to inform the Deputy that the commissioning of new FRCs is an operational matter for Tusla, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the FRC Programme. Organisations that wish to join the FRC Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance to highlight their interest in the Programme. As you will appreciate, the Tusla National Commissioning Office receives frequent requests to become members of the Family Resource Centre Programme from organisations in various parts of the country. A central feature of the FRC programme is the involvement of local people in identifying needs and developing needs-led responses.

I understand that Tusla is currently working on the application process and criteria, with a view to seeking applications in the coming weeks from organisations wishing to be considered for addition to the FRC programme.

I note that there is an existing Barnardos Centre located in Dungarvan, which provides a range of family supports to the community such as parenting programs, sensory attachment work, loss and bereavement work, individual work with children and young people, and support for children and families of minority groups including Travellers, Refugees and Asylum Seekers.