'Milestone day' for Mayo town
Dara Calleary. Pic: Michael McLaughlin
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Galetacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today confirmed the establishment of a new Family Resource Centre (FRC) for Erris.
The news comes as Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, announced ten new FRCs across the country bringing the total number from 126 to 136. This reflects the commitment in the Programme for Government to expand the capacity and network of FRCs over the lifetime of the Government.
Confirming the news, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to confirm that Erris has been included in the latest round of Family Resource Centre allocations. This is a milestone day for the people of Erris and surrounding areas who rely so heavily on the existing services provided in the Erris Family and Community Support Centre.
“I have consistently made the case to Minister Foley, and previous Ministers, about the reach and depth of the work in Erris and the need for an upgrade to full Family Resource Centre status. For many years I have met with Leanne Barret and her team who have campaigned for this. Today is a special day for them.
“FRCs do incredible work every single day. They are at the heart of communities and represent investment in children, families, and communities across Ireland. In Budget 2026, Minister Foley secured an increase from €160,000 to €180,000 for all FRCs and I want to thank her for her commitment to this issue. I met with her regarding Erris a number of times and I’m delighted that today, she has delivered for Erris and for Mayo.”
A comprehensive national application and assessment process was undertaken, led by Tusla and independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick. All applications were reviewed and scored against the clearly defined and published criteria, including population need, level of deprivation, child population data, existing service provision and existing service gaps.
The successful applicants will now be allocated core funding of €180,000 for each full year of operation. Tusla will work closely with the successful applicants, with assistance from the Family Resource Centre National Forum, to support their integration into 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.
