The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin T.D., approved the grants, which will be allocated to fourteen separate groups throughout the county.

“I am delighted that funding has been allocated to groups in Ballyea, Ennis, Scariff, Shannon, Newmarket on Fergus and Killaloe. Each of the funding recipients provide vital marriage counselling, marriage preparation, child counselling and bereavement counselling supports”, Minister of State Killeen commented.

He added, “The focus of this scheme is on the development of support services in the community for families to enhance stability in family life and assist families and their members to deal with difficult periods, which they may experience. The aim is to ensure a larger and more accessible service, to ensure the highest level of service possible and that the service is provided at the lowest cost to the client.”

The Clare groups benefiting from the funding allocation include ACCORD - €37,700; Clare Haven Services Ltd. - €15,000; Clarecare - €35,800; Compass - €5,900; Ennis National School, including Rainbows - €4,800; Scoil Chriost Rí, including Rainbows - €5,000; Information and Opportunities Centre - €12,300; Living Links - €3,000 (all Ennis); Amethyst Resource for Human Development - €5,900 (Killaloe); East Clare Community Co-op - €10,700 (Scariff); Rainbows Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire - €1,000 (Newmarket-on-Fergus); Rainbows - €1,250; Shannon Bereavement Group - €1,270 (Shannon); and STEM (Strength Through Every Meeting) - €4,400 (Ballyea).

Overall, 600 organisations will receive funding under the national allocation of EUR11m.

Marriage and relationship counselling accounts for 57% of this year's funding, bereavement counselling and support 22%, child counselling 14% and marriage preparation 7%. This year, for the first time, groups who have received a grant of over €20,000 may use up to 2% of the grant towards professional development and training of counselling staff.

-ENDS-
 
Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)