Funding increase announced for Family Resource Centres

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today announced additional funding for Family Resource Centres to support their vital work with children and families.

The minimum funding level for Family Resource Centres will be increased from to €160,000 to €180,000 in January 2026.

This will benefit 100 of the 126 Family Resource Centres around the country whose current funding is below the new €180,000 minimum level.

Minister Foley said: “I am delighted to have secured funding in Budget 2026 to increase the minimum annual funding for these Family Resource Centres in recognition of the vital role they play in their communities.

All Family Resource Centres will be in receipt of a minimum of €180,000 in core funding in January next year. The increases will be paid to the centres by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, which administers the Family Resource Centre Programme.”

Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West Aisling Dempsey raised the need for additional support with the Minister for Children Disability and Equality in the Dáil last Wednesday and highlighted the pressures facing centres such as Trim Family Resource Centre.

Speaking about the announcement Deputy Dempsey said: “Family Resource Centres are at the heart of life in towns and communities right across the country.

“This increase in annual funding will strengthen community based family support and help centres continue their essential work. They provide vital assistance to families through supports such as counselling education advocacy and local group activities.

“I have witnessed first hand the remarkable work they do across Meath and this increase for each centre will make a real difference to hundreds of families in our community.”

Kate Duggan, the CEO of Tusla, acknowledging the increase in funding commented: “We welcome today’s announcement by Minister Foley of additional core funding base level of €180,000 for Family Resource Centres (FRCs). FRCs are rooted in our local communities and are responsive to the needs of children and families across the country.

The increase to the core funding will help to strengthen community-based family support through a diverse range of services including family support work, counselling, education, training, advocacy and youth groups. It is an important part of our work to prioritise early intervention across our funded services to best meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities.”

The increase in the new minimum level of core funding follows on from core funding increases that took place in 2025, when the Family Resource Centres core funding base level was brought up to €160,000.

Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre Programme, which currently provides funding support to 126 Family Resource Centres across the country.

Minister Foley recently announced the establishment of five new Family Resource Centres in Dublin, Monaghan, Louth, Kildare and Galway, bringing the current number of Family Resource Centres to 126. Funding has been secured in Budget 2026 to establish an additional ten Family Resource Centres.