11 New Family Resource Centres Revealed As Funding Increases By 21%
The number of Family Resource Centres in Ireland is set to grow from 109 to 120, with the addition of 11 new centres this year.
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, and Tusla’s Chief Operations Officer, Jim Gibson, today announced the locations of 11 new centres during a visit to the Hill Street Family Resource Centre in Dublin’s north inner city.
The additional Family Resource Centres will be supported due to additional funding provided to Tusla as part of Budget 2018. In a strong demonstration of interest, 47 applications from around the country were received and assessed by Tusla. The 11 new Family Resource Centres are:
- Mountmellick, Co. Laois
- Teach Dara, Kildare
- Athy, Co. Kildare
- North Tipperary Community Services, Co. Tipperary
- Raphoe Springboard, Co. Donegal
- Aster, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
- Laytown, Louth/Meath
- Finglas West Barnardos Dublin North City
- Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
- Roscommon Leader Partnership Company
- Ballybeg CDP, Co. Waterford
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Zappone said “Family Resource Centres are the very hub of the communities which they serve – I have seen this at first hand in every part of the country. They provide a huge range of services by working with people from cradle to the grave. They also support those going through a difficult period in their lives including bereavement, unemployment and addiction.
The demand for new centres speaks for itself and underlines their important role. This year I am delighted to increase funding by 21% to €16.37 million for centres nationwide.”
Jim Gibson, Chief Operations Officer, Tusla said “We’re delighted to announce the 11 new Family Resource Centres today. The expansion of our Family Resource Centre Programme will see 11 more communities supported through a range of community services including family support work, counselling, education and training courses, and youth groups.
Family Resource Centres are rooted in and part of local communities and as a result they can identify need in families and communities early and offer appropriate interventions and supports. Tusla’s Family Resource Centre Programme is an important part of our work to prioritise early intervention across our services.”
The announcement is part of a range of initiatives announced for Family Resource Centres as part of Budget 2018. Tusla is investing a total of €16.37 million into the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2018, an increase of 21% compared to 2017.
