About FRG

The Fountain Resource Group (FRG) is a non-profit Community Organisation providing a range of free community services in the Dublin 8 area.

FRG History

Our Current Head Office, 23 Inchicore Road, Dublin 8

In December 1991, the local Parish Moderator Fr Denis Laverty called a meeting of all the community and voluntary groups, statutory agencies and all other interested stake-holders in the Ashling Hotel, for a day-long conference on the chronic unemployment, massive social exclusion and the underlying poverty suffered by the area.

Unemployment was 90% of the available work force in the local authority complexes. The standard of education in the area was very low due to a high incidence of early school leaving. This was highlighted by a survey carried out by Horizon, through EU funding. Similar to other communities, the high levels of social marginalization in the James’ Street area led to a vicious circle of poverty, drug and alcohol abuse and family breakdown.

The deep concern expressed by those present gave urgency to the development of an innovative strategy of community development. The result of this daylong conference was the setting up of the Fountain Resource Group, the name of which came from a local landmark. From its onset, this group had a strong social partnership ethos as it tried to include and utilize the private, public and community sectors. The Fountain Resource Group examined the gaps in social supports and identified these key areas:

Enterprise: We employ an Enterprise Officer who provides advice and guidance to entrepreneurs.
This service covers the inner city in conjunction with our colleagues in the Larkin Centre, North Strand.

Employment and Training: Through the Community Employment Programmes, we employ upwards of fifty people, working in carefully identified niches in the community.

Education: We facilitated the establishment of an adult education programme in conjunction with the local schools and other providers in the South West Inner City.

Citizen’s Information: A citizen information office was established to help local people with their needs.

Local newspaper: Provided relevant community information and news on upcoming events (originally in printed format, now re-launched digitally online).

Senior Citizens: We provide dinner and dancing events as well as trips for the senior citizens in our catchment area.

Wee Tots Creche and Preschool: A full time creche service that accommodates 40 children with low rates to facilitate working families.

Afterschool services: We run 3 afterschool services (Marrowbone Lane, Bizzy Bees – Bridgefoot St, Basin Lane). Providing hot food, help with homework, a summer project and a fun environment full of games and entertainment catering for children between the ages of 4 and 14.

Fountain Youth Project: We support and prepare young people to take responsibility and to learn and develop new skills that will have a positive effect on their lives in a fun and informal fun environment.