Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 4

Written Answers. - Family Mediation Service.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

97 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform whether the dispute between his Department and mediators regarding a proposal for a mediation centre in Limerick has been resolved; and when is it expected the centre will be operational. [3088/96]

Ivor Callely

Question:

101 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the average waiting period for the family mediation services; the number of mediators employed full-time; the number of additional mediators that are employed on a contractual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3171/96]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 101 together.

The average waiting period for couples who make an appointment with the family mediation service is eight to ten weeks. The family mediation service has one full-time co-ordinator who is also a mediator. There are four mediators employed on a contract basis. The service has three support clerical staff.

There is no dispute between my Department and mediators regarding the new Limerick centre. The centre is being serviced on a part-time basis pending the recruitment of appropriate staff. A claim by the contract mediators for improvements in pay and other conditions of employment is at present the subject of discussions under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission.