Minister gives family groups €1m handout

Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Coughlan, is to provide €1m for family and community groups to mark the European year of the family.

Applications are being sought from families and support groups for awards of up to €2,000 each.

Minister Coughlan, told the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, that anyone can apply and each award will be judged on it’s merits.

"I will be inviting families and their support groups to apply for awards of up to €2,000 for locally based family and community groups," she said today.

"Whether they be community groups, support groups, a parish councillor or any such group to allow them to celebrate the family in their care".