Aids Alec if it is required (10)

I believe the answer is:

facilities

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'aids' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both human attributes as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'alec if it is required' is the wordplay.
'alec if it is' anagrams to 'FACILITIES'.
However, I'm unsure how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for facilities that I've seen before include "amenities" , "Services" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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