Funding needed for Family Resource Centre in north Leitrim, Council hears

A call has been made at September’s Council meeting advocating for a Family Resource Centre (FRC) in the north Leitrim area.

The FRC programme is Ireland’s largest family support programme, providing universal services to families living in disadvantaged areas.

FRCs are funded by TUSLA. There are currently 121 centres across the country, providing training opportunities, advice and support and other services to meet the needs of families.

Cllr James Gilmartin urged the Council to appeal to Minister Roderic O’Gorman and TUSLA to provide funding support to help establish an FRC in a suitable location in north Leitrim.

There is a Family Resource Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill. The closest centres to families in north Leitrim are Sligo and Donegal Town.

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“Family Resource Centres provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities to address the needs of families.

“The area meets all the relevant criteria to have such a facility and is at an extreme disadvantage by not currently having one,” Cllr Gilmartin said.

“FRCs are the first place where a lot of families who struggle would go. They provide services such as youth clubs, counselling services, training opportunities, parenting programmes.

“Just by the nature of where North Leitrim is based, the closest ones we have is in Sligo town which is already inundated, one in Boyle, one in Donegal Town.

“There’s two in the south of the county but the people of north Leitrim would really, really benefit from having a FRC,” Cllr Gilmartin concluded.

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The motion was seconded by Cllr Warnock and Cathaoirleach Paddy O’Rourke acknowledged everyone's support for the motion.