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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Family resource centre funding

Summary

Deputy Kerrane called for guaranteed core funding for family resource centres, which provide a wide range of community supports and are under financial pressure. Deputy Butler praised their work and said she would pass the concerns to the responsible Minister.

The Family Resource Centres National Forum held its pre-budget briefing yesterday. I met with Louise from the Boyle Family Resource Centre at the briefing. From visiting the latter centre and the centres in Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Roscommon, I am aware that they provide so many supports and services that otherwise would not exist in those communities. These services include preschool and after-school care, education courses and parenting supports, and many are now providing food parcels as well. They need guaranteed core annual funding that meets their costs. They have set that at €240,000 each. The Minister will agree that this is money well spent in our communities. Will the Minister seek for this funding to be enhanced and that core funding be increased moving forward?

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I thank the Deputy for the question. I am a fantastic advocate for family resource centres as well. They do phenomenal work the length and breadth of the country. As far as I understand, their funding comes from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and his Department. I have been engaging with him because we are hoping to do some projects in respect of mental health supports, well-being and so on. I will certainly pass on what the Deputy has said. The centres are pushing on an open door because they do phenomenal work every day of the week.

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