“A recognition of the excellent work,” Mayo TD says as €107,000 boost for Family Resource Centre

Westport Family Resource Centre has been allocated €107,000 under the 2026 Community Safety Fund to support a new initiative focused on community safety and connection

The funding will support the centre’s Westport Community Safety & Connection Initiative, which aims to strengthen local communities and support individuals and families in the Westport area.

The announcement has been welcomed by Mayo TD Keira Keogh, who congratulated project co-ordinator Megan Burke and the team at Westport Family Resource Centre.

“I am delighted to see Westport Family Resource Centre secure €107,000 for its Community Safety & Connection Initiative,” Deputy Keogh said. “The Centre plays an important role in Westport, supporting individuals and families and helping to build a strong, connected community.”

The Fine Gael TD said the funding was particularly welcome because it redirected proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau and An Garda Síochána back into communities.

“It is right that money taken from criminal activity is put to positive use supporting organisations working on the ground to make communities safer and stronger,” she said.

Deputy Keogh said she looked forward to seeing the initiative delivered and its benefits for the Westport community.

“This €107,000 investment is also a recognition of the excellent work being done locally in Westport,” she added. “Those working within our communities understand their needs and are best placed to develop initiatives that can make a real difference.”

The Westport allocation is part of a wider €4.84 million investment through the 2026 Community Safety Fund, which is supporting 56 projects nationally.

According to Deputy Keogh, the overall funding represents an 8% increase on the 2025 allocation and a 146% increase since the fund was established in 2022.

Other projects receiving funding in the region include €127,300 for Simon Community Galway’s Athrú project, which will operate across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

A further €33,000 has been allocated to CyberSafeKids to develop a nationwide Community Online Safety Champion Toolkit.

As Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality, Deputy Keogh said she particularly welcomed the investment in the CyberSafeKids project.

“Keeping children safe online requires practical support for families and communities alongside wider action on online safety, and this funding will help that important work,” she said.

She added that the overall investment represented a significant allocation towards community safety initiatives across the State.

“I am very pleased to see Mayo benefiting directly,” she said, again congratulating Westport Family Resource Centre and those involved in securing the funding.