Longford town has one of the highest levels of deprivation in the country - with a large number of child-protection referrals. 35 per cent of the residents were born overseas, 24 per cent have a disability, and 6 per cent are Travellers.
Longford County Council was told yesterday there's an urgent need for a family resource centre in the town. Patricia Forde is a member of the steering committee behind the project - she says it's badly needed: