Seanad told Teach Oscail needs new building – Tully

THE need for government investment in youth services was highlighted in the Seanad using Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre in Cavan Town as an example.

Sinn Féin Senator Pauline Tully also mentioned Focus FRC in Killeshandra, Clones FRC and Teach na nDaoine in Monaghan and the vital work they do with people in their areas. Speaking in the Seanad this week Sen Tully described them as “vital to communities”.

“Their asks in budget 2026 were quite meagre,” Sen Tully said, but in the case of Teach Oscail in Cavan Town, their need for capital funding for a new building is “essential”.

“The rent it is paying at the minute is colossal and continues to rise,” Sen Tully told the Seanad. “It may find itself homeless without support.”

Sen Tully used the opportunity to highlight the good work being done by family resource centres. “They work with a lot of deprived communities, in particular, on issues such as domestic violence, mental health and addiction.

“They support families facing cost-of-living challenges, housing crisis challenges, food poverty and even hygiene poverty. They are filling a gap left by State agencies.”

Senator Tully also condemned the lack of funding allocated to youth services more broadly in the ‘National Development Sectoral Investment Plan - 2026-2030’ published this week. The plan only allocated 0.265% of its budget to youth services across the country or €20M out of the €7.5Bn budget.

She said: “Given the government’s stated commitment to developing youth services and spaces, this level of investment is deeply disappointing."

When asked what she thinks needs to happen next, Senator Pauline Tully said: “We need capital funding to provide spaces for young people to congregate safely and we need investment in youth workers so that we can ensure there are people willing to do that work.”