Minister Foley Announces First-Ever Capital Fund for 136 Family Resource Centres Across Every County
- From: Department of Children, Disability and Equality
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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced a €1.36 million once-off capital investment in Ireland’s network of 136 Family Resource Centres (FRCs).
Providing each of Ireland’s 136 Family Resource Centres with a once-off capital allocation of €10,000 in 2026.
Under the initiative, every Family Resource Centre will receive €10,000 to support locally identified capital, premises, equipment, ICT and infrastructure priorities.
The funding provides FRCs with flexibility to identify the investments that will make the greatest difference to the children, families and communities they serve.
The announcement builds on the Government’s significant investment in the Family Resource Centre Programme. Budget 2026 increased the minimum annual core funding level for FRCs from €160,000 to €180,000, while the establishment of 10 additional centres this year brought the national network to 136.
Announcing the funding, 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 – Child and Family Agency, welcomed the announcement:
“Tusla 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.”
Tusla administers the national Family Resource Centre Programme on behalf of the Department. FRCs provide a broad range of universal and targeted supports, including family support, counselling, education and training, advocacy, youth and community groups and practical assistance to individuals and families.
Gerry Hone, National Director of Services and Integration of Tusla said:
“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.”
The €10,000 allocation can support a broad range of capital and once-off expenditure, including minor building works and refurbishment; accessibility, health and safety and security improvements; furniture and fittings; equipment; ICT hardware and infrastructure; telecommunications and digital equipment; software, digital systems and associated licensing costs; and energy-efficiency or sustainability improvements.
The criteria are intentionally broad to allow individual FRCs to respond to their particular local circumstances and priorities.
The funding cannot be used for staffing costs, including salaries, wages, overtime or allowances.
All funding must be fully expended by 31 December 2026 and appropriately accounted for within the 2026 financial year.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- A county-by-county breakdown of the 136 Family Resource Centres receiving funding under the €1.36 million once-off capital investment programme is attached.
- The Family Resource Centre Programme is administered by Tusla – Child and Family Agency. Following the establishment of ten additional FRCs in February 2026, there are 136 Family Resource Centres nationally.
- Budget 2026 increased the minimum annual core funding level for FRCs from €160,000 to €180,000, alongside funding for the expansion of the national network.
- The new once-off allocation provides €10,000 to each of the 136 FRCs, representing a total investment of €1.36 million.
- The allocation must be expended during 2026 and cannot be used for staffing costs. Expenditure will be accounted for through FRC management and audited accounts and monitored through existing Monitoring and Performance Review arrangements.
