A Galway charity has been added to a list of seven organisations nationwide that will benefit from government funding of over €700,000 in a bid to support and improve employment opportunities for family carers.
The scheme focuses on the demands placed on young carers in balancing their learning and caring commitments, and will provide practical support to help them re-enter work and education.
Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, said Galway Autism Partnership had now been added to the list of organisations that were allocated funding under the scheme in December.
“This is going to make a huge difference to the lives of a number of carers who have dedicated so much of their own lives to helping others,” she said.
“Over the next year, this funding will help 15 carers and 10 young carers into further education, as well as helping 10 carers to continue in formal education and enhancing the employability of another 15.
“Crucially, it will also focus on helping young carers to manage school or college work alongside their caring responsibilities, placing emphasis on their emotional, physical and mental wellbeing,” explained the government chief whip.
Minister Naughton said she was pleased that the original list of organisations had been expanded by her colleague, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, ensuring that Galway Autism Partnership would benefit from the scheme.
“Galway Autism Partnership is a fantastic organisation that has made such a difference to the lives of so many. Its inclusion in this scheme will help it to continue its work and support a number of its wonderful carers,” she added.
The scheme is being administered by Pobal, which manages a range of funding programmes on behalf of the Irish government and the EU. The funding is being provided under the Dormant Accounts Fund.
