Earlier today I attended a briefing by the Family Resource Centre National Forum. I think we can all agree that FRCs are tremendous services. They are holistic, engaged, progressive, they provide vital interventions for families and individuals at all stages of life. In Waterford city we are very fortunate to have three excellent centres, Sacred Heart, Brill FRC and St. Brigid's, but there is a glaring gap if one looks at the map of FRCs on this island. A contiguous area covering much of west and mid Waterford, south Tipperary and east Cork, towns like Dungarvan where there is demonstrably huge need are left without any family resource centre. In recent weeks, there have been 49 applications made to establish new FRCs and only five of those, around 10%, were approved.

Existing centres are under huge pressure just to keep going. They are seeking €240,000. I am sure they have been in touch with the Minister’s Department on core funding a proper capital scheme to invest in new centres and funding for counselling supports. Will the Minister commit in his budget to giving the family resource centre sector the support that it needs and urgently requires?

I thank the Deputy. I am very much aware of the importance of family resource centres. We have a number of them in the area of Dublin that I represent and, in particular, there is a great one on Hill Street. I see the great work it does in supporting our diverse communities and all the work it does there. I am very familiar with Dungarvan. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is well aware of the issue the Deputy has raised. I will raise this with the Minister, Deputy Foley, who has responsibility for this, if there is anything that we can do to increase capital funding in this area. There are many demands for family resource centres across our country. Maybe, year by year, if we could gradually increase their availability, it would make a difference because I know they do really good work.