Kells Town Council demands support for Resource Centre

Kells Town Council has called on the Government to support the Kells People's Resource Centre. At a meeting of the council last week, councillors supported a call on the Government by the council cathaoirleach, Cllr Brian Curran, to support the Family Resource Centre programme and the centre in Kells in particular. He pointed out that the family resource centre programme delivered value for money support for families across Ireland. He said that, at times of financial hardship, the services of Family Resource Centres were needed more than ever. "Rather than considering closing or reducing the FRC programme, it should be developed and expanded. The Family Support Agency is the best vehicle to deliver the family resource centre programme and should be maintained," he said. Cllr Curran said if any changes were made to the programme or agency, the Family Resource Centre forum must be consulted on the way forward. Cllr Sarah Reilly said the Kells centre provided an invaluable service, particularly in these times. "In the past few weeks alone, it has done a tremendous amount of work," she said. Cllr Conor Ferguson believed the centre was needed now more than ever and pointed out that unemployment could lead to financial difficulties and even psychiatric problems. "Taking away funding from these centres will put people under even more pressure," he said.