The Government is being called on to introduce standardised minimum funding for Family Resource Centres (FRCs).

The representative body for FRCs wants entry-level funding of €240,000 introduced to assist with the provision of services in 121 centres nationwide.

They say the cost-of-living crisis, along with the expense of integrating increasing numbers of non-nationals into communities, is leaving many centres struggling financially.

CEO of the Family Resource Centre National Forum, Fergal Landy, said a consistent funding platform is needed.

“Many of our members receive different levels of funding, and what we found is that those at the lowest levels really struggle in terms of sustainability and their ability to do what FRCs do best,” he said.

“That is to provide a core within a community from which to leverage multiple funding pots, which is compromised by not having enough core funding.”

Family pressure

Mr Landy also said FRCs need help with the greater workload brought on by an influx of asylum seekers and refugees.

“It could be people in the international protection system or people who’ve been displaced by war in Ukraine, but it puts a certain level of pressure on FRCs,” he told Newstalk.

“Notwithstanding that, FRCs have been at the forefront in welcoming these new communities and in implementing integration work, but often without adequate funding to do so, and really doing that work on top of all the residual work.”