Call for candidates to commit to the future of Family Resource Centres

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The threats facing Family Resource Centres (FRCs) in Tipperary and nationwide are being highlighted by the Family Resource Centre National Forum – the national representative body representing these centres.

The forum has launched a campaign, #SupportingFRCs, in which it is calling on candidates to pledge their support for families and FRCs across Co Tipperary.

According to the Family Resource Centre National Forum, the future of these Family Resource Centres is under threat because the Family Resource Centre programme does not have a dedicated government unit administering it.

The representative body is also highlighting the threat caused by insufficient core funding for FRCs; and the dilution and dismantling of their unique community development model of family support.

The organisation is asking General Election candidates to commit to establishing a dedicated government unit to administer the Family Resource Centre programme.

It is further asking candidates to commit to preserving the autonomy of FRCs, while it also wants candidates to work to ensure all FRCs receive ring-fenced, multi-annual core funding – a minimum of €160,000 per FRC per year – and have at least three full-time staff members.

The Forum is inviting all election candidates to visit their local Family Resource Centre to publicly sign a campaign pledge, committing to support for families and FRCs, if elected to Dáil Éireann.