The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin TD has urged voluntary organisations which provide family counselling services to apply now to the Family Support Agency for funding under their 2010 scheme of grants.
Minister Hanafin said: “This funding is used to help people deal with difficulties they are experiencing in their relationships, to help children whose lives have been affected by parental separation and to support families who have experienced the death of a family member.”
Over €11.3 million was allocated to almost 600 voluntary and community groups nationwide under the 2009 Scheme. A similar amount is being made available under this year’s scheme.
Grants under this scheme are available for marriage counselling; marriage preparation courses; child counselling services (in relation to parental separation ); and bereavement counselling/support services.
Minister Hanafin continued: “The Family Support Agency has issued application forms and information leaflets to almost 750 voluntary and community organisations nationwide. I would strongly urge other organisations who feel they may qualify for a grant to contact the agency immediately for further information.”
The closing date for receipt of completed applications under the scheme of grants is Friday February 12.
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, www.fsa.ie, telephone 01 611 4100.
