asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will agree to fund family resource centres in areas of high unemployment where people can help themselves in solving many of their own problems caused by prolonged unemployment.
Written Answers. - Family Resource Centres.
164.
Over the years, I have funded a significant number of resource centres throughout the country under the scheme of grants to voluntary bodies administered by my Department and through the Combat Poverty Agency. In addition, resource centre activity was one of the major elements of the Irish projects participating in the Second European Programme to Combat Poverty jointly funded by the Commission and my Department.
I have always been a strong supporter of practical community development work and resource centres can be a valuable focal point for this activity.
I will continue to support the very valuable and worthwhile work being done by many voluntary groups in this area. The level of resources available for this purpose however is a matter to be determined in the context of the budget.