Hanafin says “new stresses” are having impact on family life

Almost €8million funding provided to Counselling organisations

Over €7.8 million is being provided to 29 major organisations involved in Marriage, Child and Bereavement Counselling Services throughout Ireland.  Announcing the funding, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin T.D., 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.  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  covers:
o  €4.7million for major providers of services such as ACCORD and Marriage & Relationship Counselling Ltd
o  €1.9million for 17 regional networks of services in counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Louth, Mayo, Roscommon and Waterford.
o  €748,000 services providing supports for children in need of counselling in relation to parental separation and bereavement.
o  €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 over €11.8million through the Family Support Agency to support counselling services.

Organisation  Name                  County                 Grant

CORK COUNSELLING SERVICES LTD                 CORK                 €175,100
CORK MARRIAGE COUNSELLING CENTRE                 CORK                 €447,200
DUBLIN COUNSELLING & THERAPY CENTRE LTD                 DUBLIN 1                 €107,500
CLANWILLIAM INSTITUTE                 DUBLIN 2                 €139,100
AIM FAMILY SERVICES                 DUBLIN 2                 €93,400
MRCS                 DUBLIN 2                 €811,800
ACCORD DUBLIN                 DUBLIN 2                 €781,000
CROSSCARE TEEN COUNSELLING                 DUBLIN 3                 €181,900
IRISH COUNTRYWOMEN’S ASSOCIATION                 DUBLIN 4                 €88,300
HEADWAY IRELAND                 DUBLIN 7                 €75,000
HESED HOUSE                 DUBLIN 8                 €79,400
BARNARDOS                 DUBLIN 8                 €233,300
LIBERTIES COUNSELLING                 DUBLIN 8                 €79,000
C.A.R.I. FOUNDATION (DUBLIN)                 DUBLIN 9                 €169,300
RAINBOWS IRELAND                 DUBLIN 12                 €164,200
TARGET                 DUBLIN 13                 €94,000
GENESIS PSYCH. & FAMILY THERAPY SERVICE                 DUBLIN 15                 €116,700
NORTHSIDE COUNSELLING SERVICE LTD                 DUBLIN 17                 €109,200
NEWLANDS INSTITUTE FOR COUNSELLING                 DUBLIN 22                 €153,300
TURNING POINT IRELAND LTD.                 CO DUBLIN                 €90,700
PRO-CONSULT                 GALWAY                 €97,200
SOUTHWEST COUNSELLING CENTRE                 CO KERRY                 €93,600
ACCORD CENTRAL OFFICE                 CO KILDARE                 €1,215,360
ACCORD CENTRES NATIONWIDE                 CO KILDARE                 €1,456,500
DUNDALK COUNSELLING CENTRE                 CO LOUTH                 €152,700
KNOCK COUNSELLING SERVICE                 CO MAYO                 €120,000
FAMILY LIFE SERVICES                 CO MAYO                 €90,000
FAMILY LIFE CENTRE, BOYLE                 CO ROSCOMMON                 €168,800
VITA HOUSE FAMILY CENTRE                 ROSCOMMON                 €124,900
ST BRIGID’S FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CENTRE                 WATERFORD                 €155,300
Total                                  €7,863,760