Killeen Urges Voluntary Organisations To Apply For Counselling Services Funding

The Clare Fianna Fail Deputy said, "The focus of this scheme is on the development of support services in the community for families to enhance stability in family life and assist families and their members to deal with difficult periods, which they may experience. The aim is to ensure a larger and more accessible service, to ensure the highest level of service possible and that the service is provided at the lowest cost to the client."

He noted that over a dozen organisations throughout Clare received funds under the 2009 Scheme. Over 11.3 million was allocated euro to almost 600 voluntary and community groups nationwide last year. A similar amount is being made available under this year’s scheme.

Grants under the Scheme are available for Marriage Counselling, Marriage Preparation Courses, Child Counselling Services (in relation to parental separation) and Bereavement Counselling/Support Services.

According to Minister of State Killeen: "The Family Support Agency has issued application forms and information leaflets to almost 750 voluntary and community organisations nationwide, I would urge other organisations who feel they may qualify for a grant to contact the Agency immediately for further information."

The Clare groups that received funding allocations in 2009 included Clare Haven Services Ltd, Amethyst Resource For Human Development (Killaloe), Compass, STEM (Strength Through Every Meeting), Congress Information and Opportunities Centre; Rainbows Shannon, Shannon Bereavement Group, Rainbows St. John Bosco College, Kildysart, Shannon Family Resource Centre Ltd., Scoil Chriost Rí (including Rainbows), Ennis, Ennis National School, including Rainbows, and Rainbows Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Newmarket-On-Fergus.

Application forms and further information about the scheme of grants, including assessment criteria, are available from the Family Support Agency, St Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Website: www.fsa.ie or telephone: 01 611 4100.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- High-resolution images of Tony Killeen, Fianna Fail TD for Clare, and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine, may be downloaded from www.dunphyprimages.com
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR at media@dunphypr.com or 086-8534900