11 Million Euro Pledged To Support Families

Announcing the grants Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin, T.D., said that supporting families through difficult times is a key focus for her and the increased funding being announced will help communities throughout the country. Minister Hanafin said "this funding of €10.9 million will enable groups involved in counselling to help men, women and children through traumatic events and times in their families' lives.

"This year's allocation has increased by over €1 million - a 10% increase - on 2007 funding levels.

"This means that established groups will receive enhanced support and over 80 first-time applicants will receive grant aid."

"Some of the larger voluntary counselling organisations will also, for the first time, operate on a three year multi annual funding basis from 2009.

"This will enable them to develop services over a longer period of time and give continuity to their communities," she continued.

Since 2004, over €40 million has been allocated to counselling and support services through the Department's Family Support Agency.

More than 50 groups will receive grants in excess of €40,000.

For example, Accord Headquarters, Maynooth and Accord Dublin, which is responsible for 11 centres serving the Dublin/Wicklow region, are established, major providers of marriage counselling and marriage preparation and have been granted over €1 million and over €740,000 respectively.

Barnardos, which works with vulnerable children and families, will receive a grant of over €210,000 while Rainbows, a nationwide bereavement support network, has been granted over €310,000.

Minister Hanafin went on to say "I believe that families are central to our society and I am keen to support practical initiatives which help all members of the family to enhance stability in their lives during periods of stress and trauma that they may encounter."

Marriage and relationship counselling accounts for 57% of this year's funding, bereavement counselling and support 22%, child counselling 14% and marriage preparation 7%.

This year, for the first time, groups who have received a grant of over €20,000 may use up to 2% of the grant towards professional development and training of counselling staff.