Skip to main content
Normal View

Family Support Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007

Tuesday, 9 October 2007

Questions (246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

329 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of funding allocated to the Family Support Agency each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22708/07]

View answer

Olwyn Enright

Question:

330 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of funding allocated to marriage and relationship counselling services each year for the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22709/07]

View answer

Olwyn Enright

Question:

331 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of funding allocated to child counselling services each year for the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22710/07]

View answer

Olwyn Enright

Question:

332 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of funding allocated to bereavement support services each year for the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22711/07]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 to 332, inclusive, together.

The Family Support Agency was established in 2003 to bring together the pro-family related programmes and services which are designed to promote local family support, help prevent marital breakdown, promote continuity and stability in family life and support ongoing parenting relationships for children.

The Agency's main functions are to:

Support, promote and develop the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme;

Support, promote and develop the provision of marriage and relationship counselling services, child counselling services and bereavement support for families; and

Provide a Family Mediation Service throughout the country.

The Family Support Agency also has a responsibility to undertake or commission research, to advise, inform and assist me as Minister for Social and Family Affairs and to promote and disseminate information about family-related issues.

Investment in the Family Support Agency has more than doubled since its establishment in 2003. Investment for each year since its inception is as follows:

2003 €17.28 million

2004 €20.19 million

2005 €24.46 million

2006 €28.03 million

2007 €35.3 million

The scheme of grants for voluntary organisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counselling services is a non-statutory scheme of once-off grants to voluntary organisations providing a range of family counselling services aimed at enhancing stability in family life, and assisting families and their members to deal with difficult periods which they may experience.

In 2007 almost €10 million has been provided by the Family Support Agency and a total of 561 organisations countrywide received funding under the scheme. This record investment — an increase of one third in just 4 years — has been informed by research launched earlier this year which indicated that up to 70,000 people across the country benefit each year from counselling funded by the Family Support Agency.

The following table outlines the total amounts of funding allocated for the scheme for each of the last four years. It also gives a breakdown of the total funding under each grant category:

Number of groups funded

Marriage/ Relationship Counselling

Child Counselling

Bereavement Counselling/ Support

Marriage Preparation

Total

2004

523

4,375,235

1,002,290

1,299,505

783,970

7,461,000

2005

547

4,780,650

1,177,280

1,473,570

826,500

8,258,000

2006

541

5,144,550

1,153,548

1,829,070

881,600

9,008,768

2007

561

5,589,750

1,343,900

2,053,350

842,000

9,929,000

Olwyn Enright

Question:

333 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of groups who have received funding from the Family Support Agency each year for the past four years; the names of these groups; the amount allocated to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22712/07]

View answer

Due to the large number of organisations funded over the four years in question, it has not been possible to collate all of the relevant information for the Deputy in the short timescale involved.

A complete list of all relevant groups with details of funding received is currently being prepared and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

334 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the research commissioned by the Family Support Agency since its inception; the research which has been published; the actions his Department has taken on foot of such research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22713/07]

View answer

The Family Support Agency (FSA) was established in 2003 to bring together the pro-family related programmes and services which are designed to promote local family support, help prevent marital breakdown, promote continuity and stability in family life and support ongoing parenting relationships for children.

As part of its statutory functions, the Family Support Agency has a responsibility to undertake or commission research, to advise, inform and assist me as Minister for Social and Family Affairs and to promote and disseminate information about family-related issues.

Since the activation of the Agency's research function in September 2004, three pieces of research have been directly commissioned.

In 2005 a review of the 1st phase of the Family Research Programme was commissioned and published in April 2006 ("Family Research in Ireland"). This review included an outline of research issues which now guides the current phase of the programme operated by the FSA.

In 2005 the Agency also commissioned a review of the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations, operated by the Agency. Published in 2006, several of the recommendations from the review have been implemented, while others will be considered as part of the ongoing development of the scheme.

The Agency has just signed a contract for a fundamental review of the Family Mediation Service provided by the Agency including recommendations to inform the future development of the service. This project is scheduled to begin towards the end of this year.

In addition to commissioned research the Agency is funding research undertaken by outside organisations under its Research Grant Programme, through the provision of grants for projects which come within the Agency's research remit.

In 2007 funding has been approved for 2 projects. The first is a project, being undertaken by One Family, to examine the need, in light of increased family breakdown, for family and child contact centres and how best to meet that need. The second project is being carried out by the ESRI which will use 2006 Census data and other relevant data sources to explore trends in family dynamics and family types in Ireland over the period 1986-2006.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

335 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of family and community services resource centre programmes in place; the locations of same; the details of those due to come on stream in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22714/07]

View answer

The Family and Community Services Resource Centre programme comes under the auspices of the statutory Family Support Agency. The programme provides for a network of Family Resource Centres which aim to help combat disadvantage by supporting the functioning of the family unit.

The services provided and activities supported by the resource centres are designed to meet the needs of the local community and include the provision of training, information, advice and support to target groups and families in the area; the provision of education courses, childcare facilities to those attending such courses and the running of after-school clubs.

Family Resource Centres provide services for lone parent families, young mothers and others considered in need of extra support. They can act as a first step to community participation and social inclusion.

Family Resource Centres are run by voluntary management committees, comprised of members of the local community.

A review of the Family Resource Centre Programme launched in February 2007 showed that almost 850,000 visits were made to family resource centres during 2005, with 140,000 people receiving advice and information and almost 16,000 people completing training courses.

At the end of 2006, 100 FRCs were in place. Six new centres have been approved for inclusion in 2007, bringing the total number of centres in the Programme to 106. The six new centres are as follows:

Taghmon Action Group, Taghmon, Co. Wexford

Iveragh Community & Residents Association, Killorglin, Co Kerry

Cara House, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Drogheda Community Development Group, Drogheda, Co Louth

Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, Co Cork

Clones Community Forum Ltd, Clones, Co Monaghan

A complete list of all Family Resource Centres is set out in the following Appendix.

List of Family Resource Centres in the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme

The Eastern Region — the Greater Dublin Area, Kildare and Wicklow or parts thereof

1.

Artane Coolock Resource & Development Centre, 55 Gracefield Road, Artane, Dublin 5.

2.

Balally Family Resource Centre Ltd. The Scout Den, Wedgewood, Dublin 16.

3.

Baldoyle Family Resource Centre, Main Building, Respond Housing Development, Grange Road, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.

4.

Ballyboden Family Resource Centre, 29 Whitechurch Way, Ballyboden, Dublin 16.

5.

Ballyfermot Family Resource Centre, Lynches Lane, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.

6.

Ballyogan Family Resource Centre, 41 Ballyogan Avenue, Carrickmines, Dublin 18.

7.

Cherry Orchard Family Resource Centre, The Bungalow, 28, Elmdale Drive, Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10.

8.

Curragh Pride Family Resource Centre, 1 Griffith Road, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare.

9.

Drop in Well Family Resource Centre, 34 Coultry Road, Ballymun, Dublin 9.

10.

Fatima Group United Family Resource Centre, 18j Fatima Mansions, Rialto, Dublin 8.

11.

Hill Street Family Resource Centre, Hill Street, Dublin 1.

12.

Hillview Community Resource Centre, 33/34 Hillview Grove, Ballinteer, Dublin 16.

13.

Killinarden Family Resource Centre, Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

14.

Mountview Resource Centre Ltd, 11 Whitechapel Crescent, Mountview, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

15.

Quarryvale Family Resource Centre, Shancastle Avenue, Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

16.

Rosemount Family Resource Centre, 3 Rosemount Court, Dundrum, Dublin 1.

17.

School Street/Thomas Court Bawn Family Resource Centre Ltd. 22/23 School Street, Dublin 8.

18.

St. Andrew’s Family Resource Centre, 114-116 Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

19.

St. Kevin’s Family Resource Centre, Saint Kevin’s Girls School, Treepark Road, Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

20.

St. Matthew’s Family Resource Centre, 5, Drumfinn Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 19.

21.

Newbridge Family Resource Centre, Dara Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

22.

Greystone’s People’s Project Family Resource Centre, La Touche Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow.

The South East Region — Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary S.R.

23.

Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre, Chestnut Court, Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.

24.

Forward Steps Resource Centre, Chapel Lane, Tullow, Co. Carlow.

25.

Clogh Family Resource Centre, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.

26.

Droichead Community Centre, The Friary Complex, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

27.

Kilmuckridge Family Resource Centre, C/o Health Centre, Kilmuckridge, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

28.

Newpark Close Community Development Ltd, Newpark Close, Kilkenny.

29.

St. Canices Community Action, Fr. McGrath Community Centre, St. Joseph’s Road, Kilkenny.

30.

Millennium Family Resource Centre, New Bermingham, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

31.

Spafield Family Resource Centre, Spafield Crescent, Cashel, Co Tipperary.

32.

Sacred Heart Community & Childcare Project, Community Buildings, Richardsons Meadow, Old Tramore Road, Waterford.

33.

South End Community Group, 1, Trespan Court, The Faythe, Wexford.

34.

St. Brigid’s Family & Community Centre, 37 Lower Yellow Road, Waterford.

35.

Raheen Family Resource Centre, Raheen, Clonroche, Co. Wexford.

36.

Taghmon Action Group, Main Street, Taghmon, Co Wexford.

37.

Three Drives Family Resource Centre Ltd, 22/23 Greenane Drive, Tipperary Town, Tipperary.

The Southern Region — Cork, Kerry

38.

Adrigole Family Resource Centre, c/o The Caha Centre, Ardigole Community Hall, Adrigole, Beara, Co. Cork.

39.

Bandon Family Resource Centre, Deerpark Family Centre, Bandon, Co. Cork.

40.

Castletownbere Family & Community Resource Ltd., The Haven, The Square, Castletownbere, Co. Cork.

41.

Cobh Family Resource Centre, Park House, Cloyne Terrace, Cobh, Co. Cork.

42.

Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, Tonafora, Bantry Road, Dunmanway, Co. Cork.

43.

F.A.C.T. Ballincollig Family Resource Centre, 134 Castle Park, Ballincollig, Co. Cork.

44.

Le Cheile Family Resource Centre (Mallow) Ltd., 33, Fair Street, Mallow, Co. Cork.

45.

Midleton Community Forum Ltd, Community Building, Oakwood Lodge, Youghal Road, Midleton, Co. Cork.

46.

Abbeydorney/Kilflynn Family Resource Centre, Co. Kerry.

47.

Ballyspillane Community & Family Centre, Ballyspillane, Killarney. Co. Kerry.

48.

Castlemaine Family Resource Centre, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry.

49.

BUDS Family Resource Centre, Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

50.

Caherciveen Community Resource Centre, Church Street, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry.

51.

Duagh Family Resource Centre, Duagh Village, Listowel, Co. Kerry.

52.

Iveragh Resource Centre, Killorglin, Co. Kerry.

53.

Kerryhead/Ballyheigue Family Resource Centre, “Bayside” Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry.

54.

Presentation Family Centre Ltd., Greenville, Listowel, Co. Kerry.

55.

Shanakill Family Resource Centre Ltd., Shanakill, Monavalley, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

56.

Sneem Family Resource Centre, New Street, Sneem, Co. Kerry.

57.

St. Brigid’s Community Centre, Hawley Park, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

The Mid West Region — Clare, Limerick and Tipperary N. R.

58.

North West Clare Family Resource Centre, Monastery House, Parliament St, Ennistymon, Co. Clare.

59.

Killaloe/Ballina Family Resource Centre 2, Ryagan House, Shantraud, Killaloe, Co. Clare.

60.

Kilrush Family Resource Centre Ltd, The Community Centre, Toler Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare.

61.

Shannon Family Resource Centre, Respond Centre, Rineanna View, Shannon, Co. Clare.

62.

Croom Family Resource Centre, 40 Main Street, Croom, Co. Limerick.

63.

Hospital Family Resource Centre, Knockainey Road, Hospital, Limerick.

64.

Southill Family Resource Centre, 267-268, Avondale Court, O’Malley Park, Southill, Limerick.

65.

St. Munchin’s Family Resource Centre, 26-28 Clonconnane Road, Ballynanty, Limerick.

The Western Region — Galway, Mayo

66.

Aonad Resource Centre, The Square, Ballygar, Co. Galway.

67.

Clann Resource Centre Oughterard Ltd, Main Street, Oughterard, Co. Galway.

68.

Gort Family Resource Centre, Market Hall, Church Street, Gort, Co. Galway.

69.

Solas Resource Centre, The Parish Hall, Headford, Co. Galway.

70.

Loughrea Town Family Resource Centre, Millennium House, Westbridge, Co. Galway.

71.

Ballina Family Resource Centre, Pound Street, Co. Mayo.

72.

Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre, Glebe Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

73.

Castlebar Family Resource Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

74.

Claremorris Family Resource Centre, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

75.

Cairdeas Community Centre, Kilmovee, Ballaghdereen, Co. Mayo.

76.

Neart hAmhnais Teoranta, The Friary House, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.

77.

Westport Family Resource Centre, The Fairgreen, Westport, Co. Mayo.

The Midland Region — Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon

78.

Knockmay Committee & Family Resource Centre Ltd, 106/107 Cherrygrove, Knockmay, Portloaise, Co. Laois.

79.

Bridgeways Family Resource Centre, Dean Egan Library, Main Street, Ballymahon. Co. Longford.

80.

Granard Area Action Group, Main Street, Granard, Co. Longford.

81.

Arden View Community & Family Resource Centre, Arden View, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

82.

Clara Family Resource Centre, The Parochial Hall, River Street, Clara, Co. Offaly.

83.

Family Life Centre, Knocknashee, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

84.

Cara-Phort Family Resource Centre, Harbour Street, Ballynacargy, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

85.

Monsignor McCarthy Family Resource Centre, Battery Heights, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

The North East Region — Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Louth

86.

Teach Oscail Resource Project Ltd, Tullacmongan, Kilmooney Drive, Co. Cavan.

87.

The Peoples Resource Centre, 5 Church Street, Kells, Co Meath

88.

Trim Family Resource Centre, 22 Mornington Drive, Trim, Co Meath.

89.

Clones Community Forum, 1 Celtic House, Fermanagh Street, Clones, Co. Monaghan.

90.

Mullaghmatt Cortolvin Community Dev. Ltd, Teach na Daoine, Oriel Road, Mullaghmatt, Co Monaghan.

91.

Drogheda Community Development Group, Drogheda, Co Louth

The North West Region — Donegal, Sligo, and Leitrim.

92.

Donegal Town Family Resource Centre, C/O St., John Bosco Centre, Donegal Town, Donegal.

93.

Cara House, Market Square, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

94.

Downstrands Family Resource Centre, The Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney, Co. Donegal.

95.

Dunfanaghy Community Resource Association, Resource Office, Main Street, Dunfanaghy. Co. Donegal.

96.

Moville & District Family Resource Centre Ltd, 2, Montgomery Terrace, Moville, Co. Donegal.

97.

The Forge Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Pettigo, Co. Donegal.

98.

Mevagh Family Resource Centre, Aras Rosgoill, Na Dunaibh, Co. Dhun na nGall.

99.

Raphoe Youth and Community Resource Centre, Unit 3 Marathon Building, William Street, Raphoe, Co. Donegal.

100.

St. Johnston & Carrigans Family Resource Centre, Chapel Road, St. Johnston, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

101.

Breffni Community Development Co. Ltd. Community House, Breffni Crescent, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

102.

Mohill Family Support Centre Ltd, Hyde Street, Mohill, Co. Leitrim.

103.

Ballymote Family Resource Centre, Wolfe Tone Street, Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

104.

Easkey Community Famiy Resource Centre Ltd, Easkey House, Easkey, Co. Sligo.

105.

Sligo Family Centre, 49, The Mall, Sligo.

106.

Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre, Conon House, Humbert Street, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.

Top
Share