Carrigy presses Taoiseach Micheál Martin on need for Longford Family Resource Centre

Fine Gael TD for Longford–Westmeath, Micheál Carrigy, has once again called on the Government to ensure that Longford Town is included among the ten new Family Resource Centres (FRCs) to be funded under Budget 2026.

Read more: Congratulations and invitations in Longford's Mercy Secondary school, Ballymahon

Speaking in the Dáil during Questions on Policy and Legislation, Deputy Carrigy said:

“Budget 2025 allocated funding for five additional Family Resource Centres — one of which was a Longford application that I was personally involved in developing alongside the local management team.

Despite a very strong application backed by a countywide needs assessment, Longford was unsuccessful in that process.

We advocated here a number of weeks ago for further funding in Budget 2026, which has now been granted. Funding is in place for ten new Family Resource Centres throughout the country.

Taoiseach, we need an FRC in Longford. Across every metric — from truancy rates to Tusla referrals — Longford ranks at the top. We’ve put together a comprehensive project assessment with all local agencies to highlight that need. It’s imperative that Longford is on that list. Longford needs its Family Resource Centre.”

In response, Taoiseach Micheál Martin acknowledged Deputy Carrigy’s ongoing advocacy and confirmed that while Longford’s earlier application was not selected in 2025, it remains under active consideration as part of the planned expansion of the FRC programme under Budget 2026.

“There was a comprehensive national application process in August 2025 when Minister Norma Foley announced five new Family Resource Centres in Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth and Monaghan.

That national assessment process was led by Tusla and independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick. The Longford Family Resource Centre Steering Group was an applicant, and those applications remain under active consideration for further expansion of the programme.

The good news is that Budget 2026 honours the Programme for Government commitment to expand the Family Resource Centre network, with funding secured for a further ten centres nationwide — bringing the overall total to 136. They haven’t yet been announced, so I take on board your representations.”

Read more: Longford chairperson accepts award for HI Digital 2025 Media Literacy Award

Deputy Carrigy welcomed the Taoiseach’s response and reaffirmed his determination to secure an FRC for Longford:

“Securing a Family Resource Centre for Longford remains at the forefront of my priorities as TD for the people of Longford.

"I will continue to work with local stakeholders, community agencies and the Department to ensure this invaluable service — which will provide vital supports for families, children and the wider community — is finally delivered for Longford Town.”