Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
857. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to review an application by a group (details supplied); if this application is still live to be considered for the next round of funding to be announced this year; if not, if re-application on behalf of the group is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5848/26]
View answerThe commissioning of new Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Family Resource Centre Programme.
Following on from the comprehensive national application and assessment process undertaken in 2025, independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick, all the unsuccessful applicants were informed that their application will remain under active consideration should additional funding be secured for further expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2026. This remains the position.
The securing of additional funding in Budget 2026 will allow Tusla to increase Programme membership to 136 members, which is a very welcome development for an additional ten communities in need of the comprehensive range of services offered by Family Resource Centres. It is expected that an announcement of a decision on the ten new Family Resource Centres will be made in the very near future.
