Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme and, since 2019, an additional €1.5m has been provided in funding, which has meant that yearly funding has amounted to €18m for this programme.
Organisations that wish to join the Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance, with regard to potential next steps. There are no plans to expand the FRC Programme or to establish new funding schemes for the Programme in the immediate future. Any such plans would depend on the availability of additional funding for the Programme, and decisions on the most appropriate use of such funding within the Programme. Tusla does not have a capital funding allocation to fund the building of new FRCs.
I am not in a position to make a statement or commitment at this time, regarding funding for the FRC or other individual programme areas, but this will be given full consideration in the upcoming Estimates process. My Department officials and I will work closely with Tusla and with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to ensure that the Agency and the services it provides, both directly and through funded organisations, including Family Resource Centres, receive adequate funding in the coming year.