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For Oral Answer on : 02/10/2024
Question Number(s): 9 Question Reference(s): 39082/24
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 his plans to increase funding for family resource centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I secured an additional €800,000 in Budget 2025 for the Family Resource Centre Programme. I expect this additional funding will allow for expansion of the FRC Programme membership from 121 members to 126 members, an increase in 5 FRCs across the country. The €1.5 million for increases in FRC Core Funding which was announced on 29 April this year has benefited 54 FRC programme members.
This is in addition to the funding equalisation scheme for existing FRCs that I announced in April this year. Under the funding equalisation scheme, the FRC Programme received additional core funding in 2024, resulting in all FRCs receiving at least €160,000 in core funding from 2025 onwards. This funding will support the pivotal role FRCs play in so many communities across the country by providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs. Of course, in addition to core funding, FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources.
My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, and Tusla administers the FRC Programme which supports the existing FRCs throughout the country. The additional core funding will be allocated to Tusla to administer.
The selection process for additional FRCs has yet to be determined however, as I have stated previously, organisations that wish to join the FRC Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance to highlight their interest in the Programme. As you will appreciate, the Tusla National Commissioning Office receive frequent requests to become members of the Family Resource Centre Programme from organisations in various parts of the country. The selection process for additional FRC will ensure applications are treated equitably while having regard to the Tusla Area Commissioning Plan with the aim to utilise the total resources available in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.