€1.36 million in funding for Family Resource Centres
The Government have announced a €1.36 million investment in the country’s network of 136 Family Resource Centres (FRC’s).
Each of the 136 Family Resource Centres will receive a once-off allocation of €10,000 this year. This will allow centres to update premises, equipment, ICT and infrastructure.
The Government says this funding will give FRCs the flexibility to identify investments that make the biggest difference to the children, families and communities they serve.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said: “Family Resource Centres are at the heart of communities across Ireland. I have seen first-hand the extraordinary work they do in supporting children, families and communities, and I am delighted to announce this additional €1.36 million investment.
“Every one of our 136 Family Resource Centres around the country will receive €10,000, giving individual centres the flexibility to invest in the areas that matter most in their own communities.
“Whether that means improving a building, making a centre more accessible, replacing essential equipment, investing in technology or improving the spaces in which children and families receive support, this funding will make a practical difference on the ground.
“This investment is another demonstration of this Government’s commitment to strengthening the Family Resource Centre network and ensuring that community-based family support continues to grow and develop across the country.”
Kate Duggan, Chief Executive of Tusla said: “usla warmly welcomes this additional investment in the Family Resource Centre Programme. FRCs are deeply rooted in their local communities and have an invaluable understanding of the needs of the children and families they support.
“Providing each Centre with a flexible €10,000 allocation enables local FRCs to make practical investments based on those needs, whether in their premises, accessibility, equipment, technology or service-delivery environment.
“This complements the Government’s wider investment in the FRC Programme and Tusla’s continued focus on prevention, early intervention and accessible family support within communities.”
Gerry Hone, National Director of Services and Integration of Tusla added: “This funding has been designed to be deliberately flexible so that individual Family Resource Centres can respond to their own local priorities.
“FRCs differ considerably in terms of their buildings, infrastructure and the communities they serve. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the allocation allows each Centre to identify where a once-off investment of €10,000 can have the greatest impact.
“At the same time, there will be clear and proportionate accountability. Expenditure will be recorded through the Centres’ management and audited accounts and will form part of Tusla’s existing Monitoring and Performance Review arrangements with the FRC National Office.”