Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2013
597. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide vital funding for a young persons' counselling service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23977/13]
View answerThe Family Support Agency under the remit of my Department administers a programme of grants for voluntary organisations that provide marriage and relationships, child and bereavement counselling services. Some 600 organisations are funded each year. In 2013, an amount of €8.147m has been allocated to this programme. These services aim to support people with difficulties they are experiencing in their relationships, to help children whose lives have been affected by parental separation and to support families who have experienced the death of a family member.
The counselling service referred to by the Deputy has received funding from the Family Support Agency under the Scheme of Grants to Voluntary Organisations providing Marriage, Child and Bereavement Counselling. They first applied for funding in 2012 and received €3,000 towards Child Counselling in relation to Parental Separation and Bereavement Counselling on the death of a family member. The 2013 Grant applications are currently being processed and all groups will be notified of the outcome by the Family Support Agency once the approvals have been finalised.
I have forwarded the Deputy's representations to the Family Support Agency for their consideration.
