Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week, the Minister, Deputy Foley, announced an increase in core funding for family resource centres. That is an important and welcome initiative. Ten new community centres will come under the funding stream of family resource centres and their core funding will increase. That, too, is welcome and important. We all know how important community centres and family resource centres are across the country.

One centre that was not successful in securing this funding and designation as a family resource centre was Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre. The Department acknowledged that the centre had a strong application and would be considered if more funding became available. Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre is an important element of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount. It is, in effect, a resource centre in all but name. Of course, like many community centres, it struggles with funding. Family resource designation and core funding would be a huge source of relief for them and would enable them to operate. It does amazing work. The people there are warm and friendly. They welcome everybody into the community centre. They work with young and old. The dementia centre there is inspiring for people in the community.There will be a lot of change in Ringsend. There is the glass bottle site. There will be 8,000 to 10,000 new residents with 3,500 new apartments there. It is vital that the Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre get to be designated at a family resource centre. I ask that the Minister consider this when funding becomes available.