Mayo families to benefit from €112,500 for community counselling services

FOUR community and voluntary groups across Mayo will receive funding of €112,500 to help deliver essential counselling and therapeutic supports to children and families, Minister of State Alan Dillon has confirmed.

This funding, he said, will go a long way in providing vital services for children and families across Mayo.

“I’m delighted to see this funding that will help provide community-based counselling, psychotherapy, and a range of therapeutic interventions such as play therapy, creative arts therapy, bereavement support, and systemic family therapy right across the country."

Funding has been awarded in Mayo to: Ballina Family Resource Centre €8,500; The Family Centre, Castlebar €66,750; Knock Counselling Centre €32,250; and Westport Family Resource Centre €5,000.

He added: “This funding will go a long way to help children and young people in Mayo to get timely access to counselling services in their own communities. These services are absolutely vital to so many families in our communities and I’m particularly delighted to see funding for The Family Centre in Castlebar who provide a fantastic service to the community.

“Across the country there is €1.5 million in annual funding for 73 community and voluntary organisations who provide these essential services. It is also fantastic to see that this funding has been regularised. Previously funding came from the Dormant Accounts Fund but will be delivered from the budget of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

"Fine Gael recognises the hard work and dedication by those running our local community counselling services. I am also delighted to see Knock Counselling Centre will get the vital funding they deserve.”