Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1558.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals there are to expand and or provide new family resource centres in 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35974/24]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1559.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that an application for a new service will be given detailed and favourable consideration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35975/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1558 and 1559 together.

I wish to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the FRC Programme, which supports 121 FRCs throughout the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, which has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the FRC Programme.

The Deputy will be aware that at the end of April I brought forward a funding equalisation scheme for existing FRCs, which will see all FRC Programme members receive additional core funding in 2024 and ensure that minimum core funding for all FRCs is at least €160,000 from 2025 onwards. This funding will support the pivotal role FRCs play in so many communities across the country by providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.

Building on my recent announcement of additional funding, it is my intention to seek funding in Budget 2025 to increase the numbers of FRCs. Any expansion of the Programme will, however, be dependent on the success of my Budget negotiations.

In relation to the service mentioned, I can inform the Deputy that at present there are no plans to expand membership of the FRC Programme given the available funding. The commissioning of Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, and subject to availability of funding.

Organisations that wish to join the Family Resource Centre Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance to highlight their interest in the Programme. As you will appreciate, the Tusla National Commissioning Office receive frequent requests to become members of the Family Resource Centre Programme from organisations in various parts of the country. In the event the Family Resource Centre Programme is expanded, a transparent process will be established to ensure all applications are treated equitably. The Tusla Area Commissioning Plan will be a critical contribution to the decision-making process. Tusla’s aim is to utilise the total resources available to it in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.