Funding announced for counselling services

More than €7.8m is to be provided to 29 major organisations involved in marriage, child and bereavement counselling services throughout Ireland, it was announced today.

Announcing the funding, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin said this funding, which is administered by the Family Support Agency, "is the first part of a three year rolling investment in the valuable services provided by these organisations to support families in times of distress and trauma".

Minister Hanafin said that now more than ever there is a need to ensure that quality services are available in order to help families who may be experiencing new pressures and stresses in their lives.

"The difficult economic situation being experienced throughout the country is filtering into the lives and homes of families throughout Ireland," she said.

"Where a person loses their job or has their working hours cut back, this financial strain can lead to pressures in relationships. Having a network of support services available throughout the country, to provide marriage and relationship counselling services is a core part of helping families to cope with problems they are confronted with."

The funding announced by Minister Hanafin today covers:

€4.7m for major providers of services such as ACCORD and Marriage & Relationship Counselling Ltd

€1.9m for 17 regional networks of services in counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Louth, Mayo, Roscommon and Waterford.

€748,000 services providing supports for children in need of counselling in relation to parental separation and bereavement.

€458,000 for organisations providing services in disadvantaged communities.

Minister Hanafin said that each of these organisations has "a proven track record in the specialty of services they provide and having this funding made available to them earlier in the year than in previous years will enable them to continue to develop services and plan into the future, as they move to a multi annual budget process."

The grants to organisations dealing with marriage and relationships also helps fund marriage preparation courses for couples planning to marry, as well as support for families dealing with relationship breakdown.

"Early intervention, counselling and support can help families to avert a much deeper crisis causing a family break-up and the professional services available for couples, families and children through these organisations is a vital service," said Minister Hanafin

The Minister went on to say that there are many other local services being provided throughout communities in Ireland and that there will be a further announcement on funding for these in the coming months, as part of the Department's spend of more than €11.8m through the Family Support Agency to support counselling services.