It is hopted that the Mountmellick Family Resource Centre will be open as soon as funding is allocated, €160,000 of which is due to be available in early summer.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is keen to see the project progressed.
“The opening of the Family Resource Centre in Mountmellick continues to be one of my priorities and I would like to see the Centre opened and up and running when funding for the first tranche of new centres is allocated,” he said.
“I am now confirming that Mountmellick Family Resource Centre will be awarded funding of €160,000 per year commencing in early summer of 2018. This funding will provide the staff of the MDA and the MYDC with the resources to sustain and develop the existing range of services currently being provided,” he said.
“I wish to acknowledge the role of TUSLA in providing funding for the FRC and pay tribute to the board members and staff and volunteers of the MDA & MYDC who work tirelessly, with limited budgets, to create a safe environment for young people and deliver services to disadvantaged families in the area,” Minister Flangan said.
In March it was confirmed that a new Family Resource Centre is to be established in Mountmellick.
Disadvantage
At the time, Minister Flanagan said: “The primary purpose of a Family Resource Centre is to combat disadvantage and improve the working of the family unit. They offer core services including support to people facing unemployment, addiction and bereavement”.
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.
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