Funding increase for Athlone FRC 'overdue but very welcome'

Athlone Cllr Aengus O'Rourke has welcomed a recent funding increase for Athlone Family Resource Centre.

"I am and have been a director of the Athlone Family Resource Centre (AFRC) for ten years and served as Chairman and Treasurer during that time. I know first hand the important work the AFRC does and where the challenges lie."

He said the centre has bee been grossly underfunded for too long, so the funding announcementwas very welcome indeed.

"The main aim of the FRC programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. AFRC also works closely with both statutory and non statutory agencies to assist us in our objectives.

"We always involve the local communities we deal with in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level.

"On a day to day basis the AFRC provides crucial one to one support to individuals, children and families when they need it most. Quite often we deal with individuals and families in crisis, we work closely with them to put the necessary resources and structures in place to support them and to find solutions.

"We made a strong case through Robert Troy TD to Minister O'Gorman for an increase in funding, so we are very grateful to them both. I would also like to thank the very small but hugely dedicated team who run AFRC. Despite our very limited resources they do an amazing job. The team have always worked beyond the call of duty to support those most in need in our communities.

Chairman of AFRC, Padraig Hegarty also said: "I want to thank Cllr O'Rourke for his constant support for AFRC for over 10 years. Today's announcement is testament to his hard work and commitment to our local Family Resource Centre. I also want to thank Robert Troy who met us last year and in turn made the case to Minister O'Gorman for additional funding. This funding is very welcome, it allows us to catch-up to the same level as other FRCs around the country and will provide us with a opportunity to expand our reach into the communities most in need."

Deputy Troy said the extra funding amounted to €36,082 and would see the funding for the local centre rise to a minimum level of €160,000 per annum going forward.