Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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836. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that there is only one Family Resource Centre in Cork City; her plans to remedy this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61067/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that there is one Family Resource Centre in Cork City. I would, however, like to highlight that Tusla funds other non-Family Resource Centre services in Cork City, who offer programmes and activities that would typically be offered by a Family Resource Centre. These programmes and activities include youth projects, education supports, early years services, parenting programmes and some family support. Tusla-funded services also include therapeutic services providing access to community-based art/play therapy, and low-cost counselling for both adults and children.

I can also confirm that neither myself nor the Department have involvement in the assessment process for new members of the Family Resource Centre Programme. The commissioning of new Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme.

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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837. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she is aware that a resource centre (details supplied) have submitted an application for family resource centre status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61068/25]

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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838. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when an announcement will be made on the additional 10 family resource centres; and if a resource centre (details supplied) will be in this cohort given the lack of family resource centres in Cork city. [61069/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 838 together.

I can inform the Deputy that I am aware that the organisation concerned submitted an application for Family Resource Centre status.

I can also inform the Deputy that I expect Tusla to be in a position in the near future to confirm the locations of the additional Family Resource Centres, on the basis of need determined by the published criteria in association with the application and assessment process undertaken earlier this year. This process was led by Tusla and independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick.

The securing of additional funding in Budget 2026, allowing Tusla to increase Programme membership to 136 members, is a very welcome development for an additional ten communities in need of the comprehensive range of services offered by Family Resource Centres.

The Deputy should be aware that neither myself nor the Department have involvement in the assessment process for new members of the Family Resource Centre Programme. The commissioning of new Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme.