Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2023
124. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure in the context of budget 2024 that all 121 FRCs are brought up to the optimum level of €220,000 funding per annum, in recognition of their increased service provision and in acknowledgement of a raise in costs. [41816/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre programme, funding 121 Family Resource Centres (FRCs). Where possible I make it a point to engage with Family Resource Centres, they play a pivotal role for so many communities across the country providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs. Their commitment to the people who use their services is exemplary and they also support those newly arrived to the country.
My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, which amounts to some €18m. Tusla has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the FRC Programme.
I should inform the Deputy that the funding from my Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to Family Resource Centres nationally. Family Resource Centres draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments and agencies.
Any potential changes in funding are considered as part of the annual Budgetary process. As this process is ongoing, I cannot comment on the funding for FRCs under Budget 2024 at this time.
