Frankie Feighan TD spoke in the Dáil: Family Resource Centres

Frankie Feighan TD of Fine Gael, representing Sligo‑Leitrim, spoke in the Dáil on 21 May 2026 on the topic of Family Resource Centres. In his contribution he highlighted the growing importance of these centres for families across the country, noting that the programme has expanded to 136 sites nationwide, with a minimum annual funding of €180 000, according to figures released by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley in response to a parliamentary question.

The debate came at a time when the national rollout has seen 10 new Family Resource Centres opened across Ireland, a development reported by RTE. In Donegal the centres have received a funding increase of almost €110 000, while in Wexford a local centre has called for further budget support to meet the needs of families. Longford town is among the areas slated to receive a new centre, and the Portlaoise centre has recently highlighted its support services on the International Day of Families.

In the context of the broader programme, figures for 2022 showed that Monaghan and Cavan each operated two Family Resource Centres, with a national total of 121. Since 2022, 15 new centres have joined the scheme, including one in Monaghan. The expansion to 136 centres in 2026 reflects the government's commitment to strengthening family support infrastructure.

The TD’s remarks underscored the need for continued investment and support for these community hubs, which provide a range of services to families in Co Leitrim and beyond. For further details, see the Oireachtas debate record and the cited news reports.

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