84. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the Government’s commitment to family resource centres; for an update on the work done by family resource centres across the country; and the potential for establishing more family resource centres. [61878/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

I thank the Minister for the update on the commitment of the Government and Minister to family resource centres across the country. I welcome the opening of new centres as I know how much they can do and add to our communities. I know how much family resource centres add because there is an extremely active and hard-working one in my home town of Trim. I cannot impress upon the Minister enough how important it is to provide additional supports, not least financially, to existing facilities like Trim Family Resource Centre. We have spoken about this on a previous occasion and I know it is a priority for the Minister. Trim Family Resource Centre is an integral part of the Trim and south Meath community and provides many invaluable services in the locality. Parent and toddler groups, counselling and youth unemployment supports are some of the more obvious services it supplies. Lesser-known activities happen, which could be a service user's only outlet in a week or a real help to working parents during school breaks, such as weekly walk and talks, men's musical meet ups and low-cost summer camps. I ask the Minister to continue to review and increase funding for family resource centres when possible and that their value and addition to our communities is always recognised and rewarded by the Government.

Sentiment score: 0.35

I thank the Minister. That is welcome news. Trim Family Resource Centre will not be found wanting in the type of projects it will allocate that money to. It is involved in projects such as zero tolerance, which tackles domestic violence, as well as low-cost rental for partyware, which is a relief to many families in my area. My question remains the same. I know the Minister is committed to the programme. I ask her to keep the pressure on in government and keep the funding for and allocation to family resource centres when she can.

Sentiment score: 0.16