Increased funding of €1.5 million for Family Resource Centres in 2019 | Statement by Minister Katherine Zappone
-
From: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Published on: 23 April 2019
- Last updated on: 16 August 2019
Minister Zappone has announced an increase of €1.5 million per annum in funding for Family Resource Centres (FRCs) for 2019.
The increased funding will bring the overall allocation to the Family Resource Centre Programme to €18 million. This is the largest allocation provided to FRCs in the past ten years. Additional funding will be used to provide existing FRCs with greater capacity to reach more vulnerable children and families in their communities.
The additional €1.5 million in funding will be used to:
- increase core funding to each of the 110 FRCs which existed pre-2018 by 5%
- employ an additional 17 Family Support Workers - one FRC in each of the 17 Tusla geographical areas will be allocated funding to employ a Family Support Worker
- fund the Family Resource Centre Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Programme
Minister Zappone said:
“Family Resource Centres are a key resource in developing strong families and strong communities. The Family Resource Centre Programme is designed to allow communities and local Tusla staff to identify needs and the services required in their local areas. FRCs provide a range of universal and bespoke targeted services to their communities. I am pleased to be in a position to increase their core funding by 5%."
"In addition to this, I am also pleased that to announce funding for an additional 17 Family Support Workers for FRCs – one in each of the 17 Tusla areas. Family Support Workers support children and families using community programmes and social networks. The earlier children and families in need of support are identified, the better chance there is that they can get the help they need."
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are independent organisations. They are managed by Voluntary Boards of Management which are representative of local communities. They operate independently of Tusla.
121 FRCs are currently part of Tusla's Family Resource Centre Programme. This includes 11 additional FRCs which were added to the Programme in 2018. (A list of the 121 Family Resource Centres is provided below). Additional funding in 2019 will focus on FRCs which joined the Programme prior to 2018, as part of an approach to increase funding levels for the FRC sector and to ensure the sustainability of FRCs across the country.
- in 2018 – funding increase of €3.0m
- in 2019 – funding increase of €1.5m
The FRC programme is Ireland’s largest family support programme delivering universal services to families in disadvantaged areas across the country based on a life-cycle approach. The aim of the FRC programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. Each FRC operates autonomously working inclusively with individuals, families, communities, and both statutory and non-statutory agencies. The Programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level.
The primary role of the FRC Programme has been, and will continue to be, prevention and early intervention. Because of this role, the programme is perceived as non-stigmatising, offering an ‘open-door’ to all families in their community.
FRCs provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families.
These can include:
- the provision of information, advice and support to target groups and families
- delivering education courses and training opportunities
- the establishment and maintenance of new community groups to meet local needs and the delivery of services at local level (for example, childcare facilities, after-school clubs, men’s groups, etc.)
- the provision of counselling and support to individuals and groups
- practical assistance to individuals and community groups such as access to information technology and office facilities
- practical assistance to existing community groups such as help with organisational structures, assistance with accessing funding or advice on how to address specific social issues
- supporting networking within the community
See attached file: FRC locations April 2019