Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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81. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she intends to increase the core funding for family resource centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50209/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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There is a Programme for Government commitment to work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres, and this is something I will engage on over the lifetime of this Government.

I can inform the Deputy that a funding equalisation scheme was initiated in 2024 for the Family Resource Centre Programme. The scheme ensures that all Programme members receive minimum core funding of at least €160,000 from 2025 onwards. The measure benefitted 54 centres around the country.

This minimum core funding will also be awarded to the five services that are joining the Family Resource Centre Programme following a recent open call for applications, bringing membership of the Programme from 121 to 126 members.

Core funding supports the pivotal role Family Resource Centres 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 Family Resource Centre Programme through Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla administers the Programme, which supports members throughout the country. The core funding allocation is standardised across the Family Resource Centre Programme, and is intended to support a dedicated cohort of staff and to contribute towards a centre’s operational costs. This allows for the delivery of essential family support services, in line with Tusla’s national priorities.

It is important to note that funding from my Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to Family Resource Centres nationally. The Family Resource Centre Programme is a community development programme that is financially supported by many State agencies in a partnership approach. Centres may draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources. Such funding can allow centres to extend the scope and reach of their services. I would encourage every centre to engage with these sources and explore all funding options.