Local TD welcomes funding of over €36k for Athlone Family Resource Centre

Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy has welcomed Minister Roderic O’Gorman's announcement of funding of €36,082 for Athlone Family Resource Centre as an essential boost in their efforts to provide a very essential service for communities.

This increase will see the funding for the local centre rise to a minimum level of €160,000 per annum going forward. Cara Phort Family Resource Centre in Ballynacargy will also receive funding of €48,068.

Deputy Troy said: “ I am delighted to receive confirmation from Minister O’Gorman this morning of the much needed increase in funding for both centres. I have been engaging with management at these resource centres over the past number of months in terms of the need for additional funding to maintain the level of service which they provide within their communities. The assistance provided by the resource centres in Ballynacargy and Athlone cannot be over-estimated and I know that this increase in funding will be hugely beneficial to many families who avail of their services.

This allocation will combat the increased costs some FRC's have faced and aid in expanding service provision. Any future increases to core funding across the programme will build off this new level. The increases will be paid to the centres by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.”

“I look forward to working closely with all of our resource centres in the future to help increase their funding and subsequently increase the benefit to the communities which they serve,” concluded Deputy Troy.

The Family Resource Centre programme is a community-focused programme that is financially supported by many State Agencies. It is important to note that funding from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth represents only a portion of the total funding available to FRC's nationally. In addition to core funding provided by the Department, FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments and Agencies.

Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre Programme, which provides funding support to 121 Family Resource Centres across the country. FRC's provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families. These can include:

· The provision of information, advice and support to target groups and families. Information concerning the range of services and development options available locally and advice on accessing rights and entitlements. FRC's act as a focal point for onward referrals to mainstream service providers.

· Delivering education courses and training opportunities.

· The establishment and maintenance of new community groups to meet local needs and the delivery of services at local level (for example, childcare facilities, after-school clubs, men’s groups.

· The provision of counselling and support to individuals and groups.

· Developing capacity and leadership within communities.

· Supporting personal and group development.

· Practical assistance to individuals and community groups such as access to information technology and office facilities.

· Practical assistance to existing community groups such as providing help with organisational structures, assistance with accessing funding or advice on how to address specific social issues.

· Supporting networking within the community.

· Contributing to Policy work.