‘Miraculous’ Wicklow family centre receives boost of €35,000 to provide ‘vital’ services

The purpose of the allocation is to bring the core funding of family resource centres (FRC) to a new base level of €160,000 in 2025 and provide additional funding for staffing and support for the lowest-funded FRCs before the end of this year.

The allocation of just over €35,000 to Greystones Family Resource Centre, which is the only centre of its kind in County Wicklow, has been welcomed by Greystones Green Councillor Lourda Scott, and Green TD for Wicklow Steven Matthews.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said that the centre, which serves the community of his home town, was “crucial” and the services delivered by its staff are “nothing short of miraculous”.

“This is great news for the Greystones Family Resource Centre, which serves the communities of Greystones, Delgany, Newtownmountkennedy, Kilcoole and Newcastle,” Cllr Scott said.

"This increase in funding will strengthen services provided to our communities and provide a positive impact for families, individuals and children who benefit from the centre. I have met with the staff in the centre many times and have seen first hand the work that they do. I am delighted that the importance of this work is being acknowledged by an increase in funding. This is an important step towards a more sustainable funding model for the future.”

Funding from the Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to FRCs nationally. In addition, FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other government departments and agencies.

Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre Programme, which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. FRCs provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families, including education, counselling and community networking support.

Commenting on the funding for what he said was a “vital organisation” in the area, Deputy Matthews said it ensures that there is “equality across resource centres funding” but added that the Greystones centre is still in need of a permanent building to cope with demand.

"I have visited the centre to see the work first-hand and have been in touch with management to assist in any way I can to support the service. I have engaged with the Minister previously to highlight the difficult funding situation facing Greystones FRC and had sought his support for the group,” he said.

“One of the key issues is to source a permanent building, centrally located and I have been working with Wicklow County Council to identify potential locations in central Greystones. Whilst this extra funding is welcome, it is also important that multi-annual increased funding is made available to allow planning for longer term projects and resources to deliver key services in the community.

"Parenting courses, counselling services, information and assistance with the myriad of public services process are just some of the resources on offer to the community. We all face challenges in life regardless of age, background or family make up and I am firmly supportive of our wonderful family resource centres across the county.

“Greystones Family Resource Centres uses the word family in its broadest sense. Family is inclusive of people with and without children as well as people who are single, from all age groups, abilities, gender and ethnic backgrounds. Everyone is welcomed to avail of the community resource and support and I am committed to assisting in any I can,” concluded Deputy Matthews.

Taoiseach Simon Harris added: “I know from speaking to the community how much this centre means to local residents and service users. As a TD for Wicklow and as Taoiseach of this country it is vital to me that community facilities like these continue to receive adequate funding to reinforce their role within the community and most importantly work to help young people thrive.

“FRCs across the country need adequate and sustainable funding into the future and today’s announcement goes a long way in supporting that goal. The work the people do in Greystones Family Resource Centre is nothing short of miraculous.

“I know the Family Resource Centre have been increasingly busy and need more funding to meet the demand so I couldn’t be more thrilled with today’s announcement. I want to pay tribute to all the staff involved in the Greystones Family Resource Centre and commend them for their tireless daily work on behalf of people in the community,” he concluded.