Agency's strategic plan aims to support families

The Family Support Agency will announce five priorities for the next two years in its strategy for 2004-2006, which is being published today.

This will be the first strategic plan for the agency which was formally established by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, last May.

The plan sets out as its first priority to support and strengthen families "through the delivery of high quality support services for families throughout the country".

A statement from the agency said the plan had been developed in consultation with stakeholders.

"It is grounded in a firm belief in the fundamental importance of families and family life for individuals, communities and society generally. It also takes account of Government policy, in particular social inclusion policy as set out in the National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion."

The agency brings together programmes and services, particularly in its network of Family Resource Centres, to promote local family supports, encourage ongoing parenting and help prevent marital breakdown. It funds projects across the State aimed at supporting family life.

The publication of the plan has also been timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family.

Its second aim is to "foster a supportive community environment for families in partnership with the community, voluntary and statutory sectors".

The agency's chief executive, Mr Pat Bennett, said the plan would not make specific policy recommendations but it would commission research to inform its next strategic plan, due to be published in 2007, "which will have more definite policy recommendations". Another priority is for the agency to promote itself as "a key provider of support services and related information for families in Ireland".