New family resource centre announced for Dundalk

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, has today announced the establishment of a new Family Resource Centres (FRCs) in Dundalk as part of the expansion of the Tusla National Programme for 2025. 

The centre will be located at Dundalk Counselling Service, Oakdene, 3 Seatown Place.

The Dundalk centre is one of five announced today after a national application and assessment process was undertaken, led by Tusla and independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick.

The successful applicants will be allocated core funding of €160,000 for each full year of operation. 

The Family Resource Centre National Forum will engage with the successful applicants to support integration with the Family Resource Centre Programme. The National Forum will assist new centres in building links with existing FRCs, offering practical guidance and partnership to ensure smooth integration into the national Programme. 

All applications were reviewed and scored against defined and published criteria, including population need, level of deprivation, child population data, existing service provision and existing service gaps.

With this expansion, the number of Family Resource Centres will increase from 121 to 126. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres going forward over the lifetime of Government.

Minister Foley said:

“I am pleased to announce this expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme. These centres are a cornerstone of local communities, providing trusted, inclusive support to families and children where and when they need it. This is about targeted, community-led investment that will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I want to thank the independent chair and Tusla for their work. The expansion of the network of Family Resource Centres is a commitment in the Programme for Government and I look forward to further developments in this area over the lifetime of Government.”

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The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

“This Government is committed to strengthening families and communities. The expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme reflects that commitment in action, delivering services into the heart of towns and rural areas where they will have the greatest impact.”

Tusla CEO, Kate Duggan, said:

“Family Resource Centres are a vital part of Tusla’s community support infrastructure. Today’s announcement reflects months of work grounded in data, planning, and consultation. We are delighted to welcome new centres into the programme and look forward to working with them to support children and families across the country.”