Cork family resource centres call for long-term funding for 'vital' therapeutic services

FAMILY resource centres in Cork have called for long-term funding for therapeutic services such as play therapy, one-to-one psychotherapy, and parenting workshops.

There are currently eight family resource centres in Co Cork, providing a community-based model of family support, offering information, advice and assistance that address the needs of families.

The Cork family resource centres are located in Adrigole, Ballincollig, Bandon, Beara, Cobh, Dunmanway, Mallow and Midleton.

The family resource centres programme is the largest national family and community-based support programme, and is core funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

There are 121 family resource centres nationally. They are represented by the Family Resource Centre National Forum, which has published a research report on the experiences and impact of the covid pandemic on children and families, and the impact of recovery and resilience-funded therapeutic supports.

Funding

In 2023, the national ‘Recovery and Resilience Programme for Children’ grant provided one-off funding of €1 million for therapeutic community supports at 83 family resource centres, including in Adrigole, Ballincollig and Dunmanway. 

The funding was used to support 4,548 children and 3,820 adults in the aftermath of covid-19, with 71% of family resource centres reporting a decrease in their waiting lists for services such as play therapy, one-to-one psychotherapy, and parenting workshops.

National Forum of Family Resource Centres CEO, Fergal Landy, said the report clearly showed what family resource centres in Cork and across the country had achieved.

“Imagine what could be achieved with consistent, long-term funding. We could plan for the future, invest in full-time practitioners and ensure that appropriate therapeutic supports are consistently available for families when they need it most,” Mr Landy said.

“This report has shown the efficacy of therapeutic supports in dramatically reducing waiting lists. The cost-effective approach is evidence-based and we strongly advocate for commitment to long-term funding so we can provide these vital therapeutic services in family resource centres in Cork and nationwide.”