Over €31,000 awarded to Louth services as national funding boost for resource centres

Louth is set to benefit from a fresh round of government investment, with more than €31,000 allocated to two local services as part of a national boost for Family Resource Centres (FRCs). Dundalk Counselling Service at Seatown Place has been awarded €20,000, while Connect FRC in Moneymore, Drogheda will receive €11,203.18 under the latest funding package announced by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley. 

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

The minimum funding level for Family Resource Centres will be increased from €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.”

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.  Family Resource Centres provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families. These can include:

• The provision of information, advice and support to target groups and families. Information concerning the range of services and development options available locally and advice on accessing rights and entitlements. FRCs act as a focal point for onward referrals to mainstream service providers.
• Delivering education courses and training opportunities.
• The establishment and maintenance of new community groups to meet local needs and the delivery of services at local level (for example, childcare facilities, after-school clubs, men’s groups, etc.)
• The provision of counselling and support to individuals and groups.
• Developing capacity and leadership within communities.
• Supporting personal and group development.
• Practical assistance to individuals and community groups such as access to information technology and office facilities.
• Practical assistance to existing community groups such as providing help with organisational structures, assistance with accessing funding or advice on how to address specific social issues.
• Supporting networking within the community.
• Contributing to Policy work.

Read Next: Louth County Council secures €500,000 for Boyne Greenway enhancement

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.