Waterford TD Conor D. McGuinness has reiterated his call for a Family Resource Centre to be established in Dungarvan, following a meeting today with South East representatives of the Family Resource Centre National Forum.
Deputy McGuinness has led a campaign for a Family Resource Centre to serve the Dungarvan and West Waterford area, publishing a detailed roadmap in 2024 that set out the rationale and steps needed to deliver such a centre. His recent discussion document on a community centre for Dungarvan also proposes that a Family Resource Centre be co-located as part of that development.
“There’s a glaring gap in Family Resource Centre provision across County Waterford,” said Deputy McGuinness. “The map shows it clearly — a triangle between Waterford City, Midleton and Cashel where no Family Resource Centre is in place. That’s a major failure in terms of equity and access.”
“Today’s meeting with the Forum made it even clearer that the sector needs real support from Government. They are calling for a dedicated capital funding stream, joint funding from TUSLA and the HSE for counselling and therapeutic supports, and an increase in core staffing budgets. All of these measures are badly needed – not just nationally, but here in Waterford too.”
Deputy McGuinness commended the huge contribution of Family Resource Centres already operating in Waterford City:
“BRILL, Sacred Heart and St Brigid’s are doing outstanding work under real pressure. They’re providing everything from parenting supports and counselling to lifelong learning, social inclusion, and community leadership development. But the West of the county is being left behind.”
“It is inexcusable that Dungarvan and the wider West Waterford area still lacks a Family Resource Centre – and it’s even worse when you consider the long-standing lack of a community centre in the town. Sinn Féin’s vision is to see a new, co-located community facility developed, with a Family Resource Centre as a core anchor tenant delivering wraparound supports under one roof.”
Deputy McGuinness concluded:
“Government must invest in Ireland’s community backbone – and that means stepping up to deliver new Family Resource Centres where they’re needed most. Dungarvan is top of that list.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 