A sum of £900,000 has been allocated in 1996 to my Department to fund the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations engaged in the provision of marriage guidance and marriage counselling services, and in the provision of counselling services to children whose parents have separated. As in previous years, payments under the scheme will be made in three instalments to those organisations which meet the criteria governing the scheme. Completed application forms furnished to my Department by voluntary counselling organisations, including that furnished by the organisation to which the Deputy refers, are being examined in my Department and decisions on the applications will be made soon. Payment of the first instalment of the 1996 grant to counselling organisations will be made in May 1996.