Speech by President Connolly at the Family Resource Centre National Conference
Mullingar, 24 June 2026
A chairde uaisle,
Is cúis áthais dom a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar anseo sa Muileann gCearr do bhur gComhdháil Náisiúnta. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an bPríomhfheidhmeannach Fergal Landy as ucht an chuiridh.
This conference brings together staff, voluntary directors, volunteers and participants from Family Resource Centres all around the country. I would like to thank you all for the tremendous work you do.
As you know, Family Resource Centres provide an invaluable, open-door service to their communities, at low or no-cost. Hyper-local and deeply embedded at the heart of their communities, Family Resource Centres have pioneered projects in mental health, disability, social inclusion - including of new communities and Travellers - parent and child support, women’s rights and equality, to name a few.
Ba mhaith liom tréaslú libhse ar fad, lucht foirne, stiúrthóirí, oibrithe deonacha agus rannpháirtithe, atá bainteach leis an obair éachtach sin ar aon bhealach.
Now encompassing 136 formally recognised centres nationwide, the Family Resource Centre National Programme is Ireland’s largest human rights-based community development and family support programme.
It is a journey that has spanned almost 50 years. Resource centres were initially set up in the late 1970s, with a distinct strand for family resource centres. Then in 1994, the formal Family Resource Centre programme was launched, growing to 109 centres by 2008.
There were of course many challenges along the way, including the relocation, at various times, of the programme to a number of Government entities.
Significantly, in this regard, I note that one of the key actions as set out in your Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 is to advocate for the Family Resource Centre National Programme to be aligned with an appropriate policy orientation within a government department related to community development and social inclusion.
Of course, the funding cuts to Family Resource Centres due to the financial crisis added another layer of complexity, along with the continued struggle to restore that funding.
In this context, it is very welcome that the Programme for Government 2025 commits to “work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres.” The increase in the minimum level of core funding – from €160,000 to €180,000 – within the last year, is a very positive step.
Notwithstanding that progress, however, I note that one of the main goals as set out in your Strategy is the necessity to receive adequate and sustainable core funding from Government.
Having travelled the length and breadth of Ireland, I have seen first-hand both the importance and the very real impact of the work you do. Indeed, following my inauguration, in setting my own priorities as President, shining a light on your work was top of my list. On day one of my Presidency, I visited the Family Resource Centre in Trim, and I am continuing on that journey, with my most recent visit taking place on the 29th of May to the Newbridge Family Resource Centre in Co. Kildare.
Of course, there are so many family resource centres in Ireland who do tremendous work, but who have not been formally recognised to-date. The journey of Erris Family and Community Support Centre to recognition is illustrative in this regard.
On their third attempt, they were formally recognised in February this year, along with nine other centres across the country, which was a very welcome development. Many more applicants are awaiting formal recognition, notwithstanding that they have complied with criteria and received positive feedback. It would appear that funding remains the key barrier to formal recognition.
Moreover, on a more general level, the Project Coordinator’s comments caught my attention:
It’s important to not just focus on the need and disadvantage in Erris. It’s actually about taking the good things we have, the strengths and using that. We have always said: Give us the funding and the resources and we will work to make sure that we can meet our needs and respond to our needs.”
These words resonated with me, as I am sure they do with all of you.
Now, more than ever, it is essential that we nurture and empower our local communities. I have no doubt that the Family Resource Centre model is ideally placed to do just that. Your vision and core purpose operating from a human rights basis places the community front and centre, and we are indebted to you for your work.
Mar fhocal scoir, tugann chuile chlann agus chuile pháiste a chuidíonn sibh leo dóchas agus misneach do ghlúnta na todhchaí.
Go mba fada buan sibh i mbun oibre.