A €36,000 funding package has been announced for the iCARE charity in Buncrana.
The parent-run autism support centre will be provided with vital finance from the Health Service Executive (HSE) this year.
The allocation was welcomed as good news by Donegal Minister Joe McHugh, who said that the HSE are working to create a Service Level Agreement with ICARE for more secure funding in the future.
Minister McHugh said: “This is really good news today for the iCARE group in Buncrana and all of their staff and volunteers. They work they do on a daily basis is immense.
“Most importantly it is good news and an assurance for the children and parents who use the services iCARE offer.
“I raised the question of funding for iCARE with Minister for Disability Issues Finian McGrath when I met him on Wednesday evening. I was also keen to stress about how vital a role the charity plays.”
Minister McHugh said that the €36,000 grant is an important recognition of the place that iCARE has in Inishowen and all of the services that it provides.
He added: “I hope that the funding will go some way to giving everyone connected with iCARE the certainty and assurance that they deserve for the year ahead.
“It is also good to hear that the HSE are working to create a Service Level Agreement with iCARE to put the arrangements and connections with the charity on a more formal footing.”