Mayo Deputy welcomes funding for Family Resource Centres

Deputy Keira Keogh has welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, confirming an uplift in core funding for Family Resource Centres (FRCs) from €160,000 to €180,000 from January 2026.

This national increase will benefit 100 centres across the country, including six Family Resource Centres in Mayo, each of which will now be brought up to the new minimum funding level.

The Mayo centres benefiting from this uplift are: Ballina FRC – €19,568.75; Cairdeas Kilmovee FRC – €8,893.12; Castlebar Le Chéile FRC – €18,370.91; Claremorris FRC – €18,964.16; Neart hAimhneis Teoranta (Ballyhaunis FRC) – €18,486.00; and Westport FRC – €139.42.

Deputy Keogh said this investment represents a “timely and targeted boost for Mayo communities.”

Deputy Keogh also said:

“Family Resource Centres are the backbone of community life across Mayo. They support families during difficult times, they provide early intervention, counselling, education, training, youth work and most importantly a safe, welcoming, local space when people need it most.

“I’ve seen this work up close. For many years, I shared a building with the Westport FRC, and I witnessed first-hand the extraordinary dedication of staff and volunteers. Their work often goes unseen, but it makes an enormous difference to families right across our county.

“This uplift to €180,000 will allow our Mayo centres to strengthen their services, expand programmes and respond more effectively to local needs. It is a step forward for the six centres serving communities.”

Deputy Keogh added:

“I also welcome the commitment in Budget 2026 to establish an additional 10 Family Resource Centres nationwide. As demand continues to grow, expanding the network is the right and necessary step.

“This announcement comes on the day that the Westport Family Resource Centre celebrates their 21st Anniversary and I want to congratulate them on this momentous occasion”