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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Family centres play vital role
BY BRENDAN McCARTHY
FAMILY Resource Centres in Kerry are increasingly acting as a lifeline for people who have lost their jobs because of the recession.
A report has been launched detailing the crucial work of the centres which are located in various locations throughout Kerry.
The local facilities include areas in Ballyspillane, Killarney; Buds, St Brigid’s and Shanakill in Tralee; Caherciveen, Castlemaine, Listowel, Duagh, Kerryhead and Ballyheigue, Abbeydorney and Kilflynn, Droichead na Daoine in Sneem and Killorglin.
Following the report launch, the Family Resource Centre national forum and the family support agency held a political briefing event in Dublin to which all members of the Oireachtas were invited.
Representatives from the 12 Kerry centres travelled to the launch to brief TDs and senators about their work and about the impact of family resource centres in the community.
Almost 90 politicians, including Kerry TDs Martin Ferris, Tom Sheahan, Tom McEllistrim and John O’Donoghue; Senators Mark Daly and Paul Coghlan, and a representative from South Kerry TD Jackie Healy-Rae’s office attended the event.
The report shows that 2,470 people completed training courses, directly related to employment, in Kerry centres last year. A further 2,726 people completed educational courses in the centres, while 10,429 people availed of information on a range of topics, including social welfare rights and entitlements, housing and personal debt.
Family Resource Centre National Forum chairperson, Packie Kelly, said the centres really serve as a lifeline for those who find themselves suddenly out of work.
"In addition to providing practical supports, like education and training opportunities, information and advice, we also provide emotional and personal support.
"In Kerry, for example, 687 people availed of direct one-to-one support, what we call ‘cup-of-tea’ support, in FRCs last year, while a further 570 people received in-house counselling sessions," Mr Kelly said.
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