Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1976. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if she will support the establishment referred to therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46176/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to acknowledge the Minister’s support for the application for a Family Resource Centre (FRC) in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. As the Minister may know, the FRC Programme will expand from 121 to 126 members this year, in line with the Government’s commitment to its growth.

I am delighted to confirm that South Monaghan FRC Advisory Group was successful in its application to join the FRC Programme. A press release issued to this effect from my Department on 29 August 2025.

I am aware that Teach na Daoine FRC acted as lead agency for the application, and I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to all of those involved in the application process.

The Minister should note that a comprehensive national application and assessment process was undertaken, which was led by Tusla and independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick. All applications were reviewed and scored against the clearly defined and published criteria, including population need, level of deprivation, child population data, existing service provision and existing service gaps. Decisions on the successful services were made by the assessment panel.