Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask for a review of the policy to no longer fund Home Start services in Athenry, County Galway. In light of recent Exchequer figures and the more healthy economic position, it may be a good time to review cuts to such essential services.

Home Start, Athenry, is a scheme through which volunteers offer support to parents and young children through weekly home visits. Volunteers offer emotional support and practical help to parents struggling to raise their children due to lack of support in the context of mental health issues, ill health and relationship breakdown. The scheme has been operating since 2005 and is embedded in the community. People are aware of its existence and it has aimed to help parents become more independent and confidant so that they no longer need support in future. There is no doubt about its value. Up to 50 families a year use the scheme through home visits to 15 families at a time, parent and toddler weekly support groups and courses in parenting, stress management, play and cookery. Families find the programme most beneficial on foot of the informality of the home visits undertaken and the way in which it is tailored to the needs of each individual parent.

There are a total of 18 active volunteers and five new ones have just completed preparation courses. They are ready and willing to continue to help families in the area who need their support. Unfortunately, Home Start, Athenry, has financial support only up to December 2014 and it is fundamental that extra funding of €30,000 is provided as that is what the scheme reckons is required to facilitate its work supporting families in the Athenry area into next year. The funding would be put toward co-ordinators' salaries, travel expenses, training and support and other miscellaneous expenses required to permit this badly-needed service to continue to be provided in the area.

It is fundamental that it receives extra funding of €30,000 as that is the amount it reckons it will need to carry out their work in supporting families in the Athenry area into next year. The funding received would be put towards co-ordinators' salaries, travel expenses, training, support and other miscellaneous expenses required to continue with the service that is so badly needed in the area.

There is no doubt it is an essential service for the area. I urge the Minister to consider refunding the scheme for 2015 to allow Home-Start Athenry to continue to provide aid and services to families in need.