2982. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a sufficient increase in core funding in the upcoming budget for family resource centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61976/26]

In Budget 2026 I was pleased to secure additional core funding for the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme, which honoured the Programme for Government commitment to work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres. In this context, funding was secured to provide for an increase in minimum core funding to a new base level of €180,000, up from the previous base level of €160,000. This benefitted a significant number of Family Resource Centre Programme members.

Since becoming Minister, the FRC Programme has seen its largest expansion in eight years. Membership in 2026 has grown from 126 members to 136 members, an increase in ten members. This followed the 2025 expansion from 121 members to 126 members. Recent increases in FRC Programme membership have been very welcome developments for an additional fifteen communities in need of the comprehensive range of services offered by Family Resource Centres.

I have indicated previously that I will continue to pursue the expansion of the FRC Programme through the budgetary process and in line with the Programme for Government commitment. Improvements to core funding for Family Resource Centres will also remain under consideration as part of the Budget 2027 negotiations.