A NEW Family Resource Centre (FRC) is to be built in Balbriggan.
Last week Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, and Tusla’s Chief Operations Officer, Jim Gibson, announced the locations of 11 new centres nationwide during a visit to the Hill Street Family Resource Centre in Dublin’s north inner city.
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,” she said.
“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 per cent to €16.37 million for centres nationwide.”
Jim Gibson, Chief Operations Officer, Tusla, said they were delighted to announce the 11 new Family Resource Centres.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell (FG) welcomed the news that one of the new centres will be based in Balbriggan.
“Family resource centres are hugely important in many local communities in assisting disadvantaged families and providing them with the supports they require,” he said.
“Family resource centres provide many vital services to address the needs of families in local communities, including the provision of information on development opportunities available locally, delivering education and training opportunities, and the establishment of community groups to meet local needed, for instance, after-school clubs.
“Other supports offered by family resource centres include the provision of counselling and support and extending practical assistance to existing community groups.”
Deputy Farrell said he is pleased that families in Balbriggan who require these supports will now be able to avail of them.
“The development of a family resource centre in Balbriggan will undoubtedly benefit the local community, and particularly families who are disadvantaged,” he added.
“Providing each individual and family with the support they require to tackle disadvantage is of the utmost importance as we work to ensure every individual in our society receives equality of opportunity.
“I will continue to actively engage with Minister Zappone and her Department to ensure the requirements of every community in the north county are met.”