National Forum of Family Resource Centres CLG

Politician(s) lobbied: Simon Harris (Minister), Department of Finance

Intent: Raise profile of the National FRC Programme and to highlight and advocate for key funding priorities of Family Resource Centres (FRCs).

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Ian Power (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach

Intent: To secure meeting with Minister Mary Butler to discuss funding for counselling and therapeutic supports for FRC members so FRC's can address growing waiting lists and ensure timely access to prevention and early intervention mental health supports.

Methods: Virtual Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development; Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Connolly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alison Comyn (Senator), Seanad; Shane Curley (Senator), Seanad; Joe Flaherty (Senator), Seanad; Imelda Goldsboro (Senator), Seanad; Fiona O'Loughlin (Senator), Seanad; Anne Rabbitte (Senator), Seanad; Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Defence; Maeve O'Connell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Neale Richmond (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Neville (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Frank Feighan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Senator), Seanad; Marian Harkin (Minister of State), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Brian Stanley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Connolly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alice-Mary Higgins (Senator), Seanad; Eileen Flynn (Senator), Seanad; Peadar Tóibín (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louise O'Reilly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Donnelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Natasha Newsome Drennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maurice Quinlivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Conor D McGuinness (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mairéad Farrell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Rose Conway-Walsh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aidan Farrelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Patricia Stephenson (Senator), Seanad; Roderic O'Gorman (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Robert O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nessa Cosgrove (Senator), Seanad; George Lawlor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Key Budget requests included:1. Increase the core level of funding per FRC to€240,000.2. No new Family Resource Centres, until thefunding of existing FRCs is addressed andinvolvement of FRCs in the decision-makingprocess, when the programme is expanded.3. Ensure consistent, long-term funding forcounselling and therapeutic supports in FRCsnationwide.4. Develop and introduce a dedicated capitalfunding stream for FRCs.

Methods: Unknown

Politician(s) lobbied: Niall Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Barry Heneghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Denise Mitchell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Naoise Ó Muirí (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Robert O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Dessie Ellis (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sinéad Gibney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joe Neville (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brian Stanley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Carrigy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joanna Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Carol Nolan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; George Lawlor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Malcolm Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pat Buckley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eoghan Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Paul O'Shea (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Richard O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mattie McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Conor D McGuinness (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pat the Cope Gallagher (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louis O'Hara (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Frank Feighan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marian Harkin (Minister of State), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Eamon Scanlon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nikki Bradley (Senator), Seanad; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Nessa Cosgrove (Senator), Seanad; Mark Duffy (Senator), Seanad; Robbie Gallagher (Senator), Seanad; Imelda Goldsboro (Senator), Seanad; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Seán Kyne (Senator), Seanad; Michael McDowell (Senator), Seanad; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Malcolm Noonan (Senator), Seanad; Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Senator), Seanad; Fiona O'Loughlin (Senator), Seanad; Pauline Tully (Senator), Seanad

Intent: Raise profile of the National FRC Programmeand provided an opportunity for Oireachtasmembers to meet with FRC representativesfrom their region.Launch of the FRC National Forum Pre-Budget Submission for 2026 includingseeking an optimum core funding of €240,000for all 121 Family Resource Centres, a capital funding stream for FRCs and funding for counselling services.

Methods: Event / Reception

Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: Inform Minister Foley on the National FRC Programme recent developments and the FRCNF Pre-Budget Submission asks for 2026 including: 1. Maintain the National Programme status with ring-fenced funding and local community led autonomy of the FRC Programme. 2. Increase core funding of all FRCs to €240,000. 3. Provide increased funding for FRC Counselling & Therapeutic Supports. 4. Create a dedicated capital funding stream for FRCs. 5. Expand the programme incrementally to offer nationwide coverage.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Joe Cooney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sinéad Gibney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Robert O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Shane Curley (Senator), Seanad; Nessa Cosgrove (Senator), Seanad; Alan Harney (Councillor), Galway County Council

Intent: To raise awareness of the National FRC programme and highlight the FRCNF Pre-Budget Submission 2026 key requests.

Methods: Event / Reception

Politician(s) lobbied: Lara Hynes (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: The email aimed to express Fergal Landy's personal concerns about the potential negative impact of Tusla's restructuring on prevention work. Its objective was to advocate for the continued support and preservation of the Prevention, Partnership, and Family Support programme.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Social Protection

Intent: To inform the Minister on the National FRC programme emphasising it's National Programme Status; the desire to ring fence its core funding; and the importance of the autonomy of FRCs to pursue a community development approach. The FRCNF CEO outlined then concerns of the FRC members noting that the Tusla Structural Reform programme may impact adversely on these important features of the programme.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs

Intent: To ensure the government preserves 1. FRC national programme status; 2. the varied the mix of programmes and activities FRCs offer; 3. FRC's local autonomy and 4. the additional non-core funding FRC receive from Tusla at their local area level.

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: Danny Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marian Harkin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mattie McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Richard O'Donoghue (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Collins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Neasa Hourigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Patrick Costello (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marc Ó Cathasaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Johnny Mythen (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Browne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pauline Tully (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Matt Carthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Rose Conway-Walsh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Gavan (Senator), Seanad; Frank Feighan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Stanton (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Dara Calleary (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (Senator), Seanad; Bríd Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: 1. Increase the level of funding per FRC to €240,000, for FRCs to be able to adequately provide the supports and services required of them. 2. No new Family Resource Centres, until the funding of existing FRCs is addressed and involvement of FRCs in the decision-making process, when the programme is expanded. 3. Ensure consistent, long-term funding for counselling and therapeutic supports in FRCs nationwide.4. Develop and introduce a dedicated capital funding stream for FRCs.

Methods: Email