Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
916. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide additional funding for Family Resource Centres (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37299/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the Department has been provided with a copy of the Family Resource Centre National Forum pre-Budget submission.
I was very pleased that Budget 2026 measures allowed us to honour the current 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. Core funding is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
The Department also secured funding to allow for the expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2026, allowing Programme membership to grow 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 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.
In relation to the proposal for a capital funding stream, neither the Department nor Tusla currently have capital funding to support Family Resource Centre infrastructure proposals, including the building of new or refurbishment or extension of existing Family Resource Centres, or refurbishing vacant or derelict buildings. Tusla does not have a dedicated budget for capital or building works for third party organisations. Capital funding may be accessible through relevant local authority mechanisms, or Government schemes such as Rural Integrated Development schemes operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
On counselling and therapeutic supports, I want to acknowledge the range of supports that are offered through Family Resource Centres, and also to acknowledge the fact that centres can come under pressure as a result of high demand. Tusla continues to invest in counselling and therapeutic supports. It recognises that Family Resource Centres are able to reach clients who, in many cases, would not be able to access such services, which are delivered at low to no-cost to the recipients. These supports have a strong focus on early intervention, affordability, and a holistic approach to mental health and well-being for all ages. I was pleased that over the last number of years the Department secured additional funding for family support services counselling providers around the country, many of which were Family Resource Centres.
Clinical and Therapeutic Lead posts were established by Tusla in 2024 in a number of Family Resource Centres around the country, to ensure that there is a Clinical and Therapeutic Lead in all six Tusla regions. I understand that this initiative is working very well. The focus of the role includes providing clinical leadership, ensuring that quality services are developed and adapted to meet emerging and presenting needs in the region, and monitoring standards regarding clinical practice and good governance. Clinical Leads also deliver therapy services directly to clients.
Following on from core funding increases and the expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2026, made possible through Budget 2026 funding, I will continue to pursue the expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme through the budgetary process and in line with the Programme for Government commitment to work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres. Improvements to core funding for Family Resource Centres will also remain under consideration.
