Written answers

Thursday, 17 July 2025

Department of Children, Disability and Equality

Family Resource Centres

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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492. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will give detailed consideration to the issues raised by an association (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40425/25]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my Department has received the Family Resource Centre National Forum’s Pre Budget Submission 2025 (for Budget 2026).

The Programme for Government gives a commitment to work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres (FRCs). With regard to the specific asks of any such submission, these must be considered in the context of the wider budgetary process and the competing demands in my Department and across Government.

I wish to inform the Deputy that a funding equalisation scheme was established in 2024 for the FRC Programme, ensuring that all Programme members receive a minimum core funding of at least €160,000 from 2025 onwards. In addition to core funding, FRCs may draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources.

As the Deputy may know, applications for expansion of the FRC membership programme were open from 1st May to 30th May 2025. Funding secured as part of Budget 2025 will allow for membership of the Programme to increase from 121 members to 126 members in 2025, in line with a Government commitment to expand the Programme.

Tusla, as the body responsible for the day-to-day administration of the FRC Programme, is managing the selection process for the additional FRCs. The process is merit-based, guided by the published criteria set out in the application process, ensuring that all applications are assessed fairly and equitably. My Department has also agreed with Tusla that independent representation will be included on the selection panel for the additional FRCs. Tusla expects to be in a position to announce the successful applicants for the new FRCs during the summer.

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