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For Written Answer on : 09/09/2024
Question Number(s): 1432 Question Reference(s): 34654/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number and location of new family resource centres that have been opened each year since he assumed office; his plans, if any, to support the establishment of any new family resource centres in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
I wish to inform the Deputy that since I first assumed office at the end of June 2020 there have been no additions to the Family Resource Centre Programme, which stands at 121 member organisations.
However, I recently brought forward a funding equalisation scheme for existing Family Resource Centres, which will ensure that all Family Resource Centre Programme members are in receipt of a minimum core funding level of €160,000 from 2025 onwards. This increase in core funding will support the pivotal role Family Resource Centres play in so many communities across the country by providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.
My Department funds Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and it administers the Family Resource Centre Programme, which currently supports the 121 Family Resource Centres throughout the country. For 2024, there are no plans to expand membership of the Programme, and the commissioning of Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, and subject to availability of funding.
However, it is my intention to seek funding in Budget 2025 to increase the number of Family Resource Centres. Any expansion of the Programme will however, be dependent on the success of my Budget negotiations.
