Ballynacarigy family centre under threat

Staff at Cara Phort Family Resource Centre (FRC) in Ballynacarigy said yesterday evening (Monday) that they had high hopes that An Bord Snip's recommendations to abolish the Family Support Agency and its projects would not be adopted. The centres provide great value for the work that they do and are need now more than ever, said Maria Quinn who runs the centre in Ballynacarigy.If the recommendations were put into play eight jobs would be lost at the four FRCs in Longford/Westmeath."The 107 FRCs in Ireland costs the government just €18 million a year which is unbelievable value for the services that we provide," said Ms Quinn."What we are talking about is cutting services from vulnerable people in very rural areas. It was only in April this year that we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the centre with a mass that was very well attended by the local community and that is because we are soll well supported by people in the area."We don't just cover Ballynacarigy but we also cover Emper, Sona and Milltown. Our services aim to provide something for every family area but we work largely with young people and the elderly."We provide computer courses, FTEC qualifications up to level three, childcare courses, cookery on a budget, arts and crafts. we have a counselling service, links to MABS and adult education guidance services. We have even started a youth drama group."We really try to be at the heart of the community and worked with the Rural Transport Network to get a bus service into Mullingar. Cutting FRCs would be such a mistake.The government should take time to think about the real implications. Given the current situation that we are all in the services that we provide are needed now more than ever. There are people who use the centre that have no other access to email or a fax machine and for them we are vital, we are a lifeline."In total cutting the Family Suppport Agency woud save the government €30 million a year. Of the budget €18 million goes directly to funding FRC projects nationwide.FRC representatives are to meet with local Oireachtas members to highlight the importance of maintaining the Family Resource Centre Programme in the coming days.