REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO ST. MUNCHIN’S FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO ST. MUNCHIN’S FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE, BALLYNANTY, LIMERICK ON FRIDAY, 30 OCTOBER,
I would like to thank you for the invitation to be with you here today as you celebrate eleven years of tremendous work at St. Munchin’s Family Resource Centre, Ballynanty, and for marking this special occasion by asking me to formally open this beautifully refurbished community hall.
Local initiatives such as your Resource Centre show us that communities themselves, who are better placed than anybody else and can more easily identify what they themselves require in their area can, given the right conditions and support structures, respond most effectively to their own needs using their own initiative and resources - and in partnership with others who can help them to achieve their objectives.
When you think back to what started in 1987 - when Sr. Ursula O’Regan and a small group of volunteers worked from a single Corporation flat - and when you look at what has since developed into a thriving and dynamic resource centre, with a variety of services that cater for the needs of every age group in the community, you can be justifiably proud of what you have achieved – a centre which provides a comprehensive range of community services such as creche facilities; an after school homework programme; a comprehensive counselling service; educational opportunities for adults; and home visits and social activities for older people.
The key to the success of your Centre is that it has been built on local neighbourhood solidarity and on the informal networks and activities that have developed within the community – with the focus at all times on empowering and supporting the local people in organising community activities and projects. Indeed, the refurbishment project is a glowing example of such a project – and one which is a model for other communities to follow - with a Centre that is accessible to all – with activities organised in such a way that everyone can feel welcome and supported – and with your outreach strategies designed to make contact with the most vulnerable and marginalised in the community.
The excellent child care facilities enable parents - especially women - with child-care responsibilities to play a more active role outside the home and to participate fully in employment, development, education and training opportunities – which have a pivotal role in the promotion of social inclusion, socio-economic development and community regeneration.
I would like to pay tribute to the Family Resource Centre here in Ballynanty for recognising this important role - and for providing so adequately for the educational and training needs of the community - with over twenty courses now on offer - and with large numbers of local people availing of opportunities for second chance education.
I would also like to commend the emphasis which you place on courses which lead to national certification – with many of the courses available here accredited by the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA) - ensuring that programmes operate to consistently high standards, are relevant to industry needs as well as providing for personal development.
In Ireland today, in rural and urban communities alike, it is recognised that the best way of tackling disadvantage is to deliver a community based response with statutory agencies and voluntary bodies working together in partnership. The work which you do at this Centre covers the remits of several agencies - and you have achieved commendable success in co-ordinating and maximising the support given by these agencies to your community. I would like to acknowledge the support and commitment of all of the partners who have contributed to this success story - Limerick City V.E.C., FÁS, the Paul Partnership, the Mid Western Health Board and the Combat Poverty Agency. All of these deserve our praise and gratitude for their contribution.
I would like to pay special tribute to the Limerick Social Services Council for its vision in setting up this Family Resource Centre in 1987 - and for the outstanding commitment that it has shown in supporting its development over the last eleven years. A particular word of thanks is also due to the parish sisters - Sr. Ursula O’Regan, Sr. Margo Beggin, Sr. Noelle Costello and Sr. Roberta Delaney – who have shown great determination and commitment in harnessing your community’s goodwill and in co-ordinating the work of the Centre. I know that they have been an inspiration to everyone and a driving force in this community.
Finally I would like once again to congratulate you all, to wish the Centre every success in the future and to thank you again for your warm welcome to me today.