Funding announced for two vital services in Donegal

Funding for the Special Needs Parents Network and St Brigid’s Community Centre has been announced.

The funding has been received through the Parent Peer Support Fund and each successful project will receive up to a total of €2,000, which will support the development and promotion of parent peer support activities.

The Special Needs Parents Network is a group for parents and guardians of children with disabilities and additional needs in Donegal. The purpose of the group is to bring people together so that they can effectively advocate for their children and for peer-to-peer support. 

St Brigid’s Community Centre caters for people in the south Donegal area and provides a range or services. 

The project funding was announced by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman and six projects in the Connacht and Ulster area are to receive funding under the support fund. Donegal will benefit from two of the six. 

“I am delighted to announce the list of services that will receive funding under the 2023/24 Parent Peer Support Fund,” Minister O’Gorman commented. 

“The wide range and variety of initiatives dedicated to improving outcomes for parents around the country has to be admired. This funding will greatly assist those services who are working directly to provide high-quality practical support to parents and those in a caring role.

"This additional funding, which has been made available by my Department via this fund, will allow a greater number of parents to benefit from peer support from within their own communities.”

This fund is part of the National Model of Parenting Support Services; Supporting Parents, which seeks to ensure that all parents are confident and capable in their parenting role, helping to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.

The Parent Peer Support Fund was initially launched in 2022, with funding being awarded to 25 projects.