Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has called for the Department of Children and TUSLA to make urgent provision for a Family Resource Centre in Dungarvan to serve the town and wider West Waterford Area.
McGuinness said:
“There is an urgent need for a Family Resource Centre in West Waterford. Its well known that Dungarvan has a shortage of community facilities, and is underserved when compared to towns of a similar size. The map of family resource centre locations shows a glaring gap corresponding with most of Co. Waterford. There is a triangle, stretching between Waterford City, Cashel and Midleton, in which there is no family resources centre available to the community, in stark contrast to the rest of the state.
“These centres provide a community-based model of family support while building up capacity, skills and leadership in the community. This is done through providing information, support and advice; delivering education and training; developing and hosting community groups and clubs; and providing counselling services and group supports.
“Its inexplicable that Dungarvan and West Waterford has been left without a family resource centre, and I believe this imbalance needs to be remedied as soon as possible. I have written to the Minister for Children and TUSLA asking them to engage with the community about establishing a family resource centre as a matter of urgency.”
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 