Family Resource Centres
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-03
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Joe O'Reilly (FG), Labour Panel

I thank the Minister of State for acknowledging that I have been discussing this issue with her personally and writing to her on this subject over some time. I also appreciate her acknowledgement of the need in this regard. In the minute I have, I want to say to the Minister of State that I would like to hear a concluding remark from her to say that the real need that is in Cootehill will be brought to the decision-making table on the next occasion.
Let us assume the funding will be there, because if it is not, then the Minister of State cannot do it. I cannot see that this real, crying need in Cootehill could be rivalled elsewhere. The need for a family resource centre is there. It would be a place where people could drop in, get a form filled, get counselling, chat and find companionship. It will be just what it is called: a resource house for the community, and a home-from-home where people can pop in. The proposed site is very well situated in the centre of the town. It is a very fine building. This would be exciting for Cootehill, and I would be delighted to invite the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Foley, down for the day, if the Minister of State can give me the commitment.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-03/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:42+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-03