Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2291. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of an application (details supplied) for a community centre to join the family resource centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41181/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to acknowledge the Deputy’s support for the application by Ballybunion Community Centre to be granted Family Resource Centre (FRC) status.

As the Deputy may know, the previous Minister, Roderic O'Gorman T.D. secured funding for an additional 5 Family Resource Centres as part of Budget 2025, to 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. Applications for FRC Programme membership were open from 1st May to 30th May 2025. Funding Tusla, as the body responsible for the day-to-day administration of the FRC Programme, is managing the selection process for the additional 5 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 agreed with Tusla for independent representation to 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 shortly.

I trust that the above is useful to you, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Ballybunion Community Centre’s application the very best in the selection process.