Vol. 476 No. 2
20 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he has requested that specific counselling services be developed for children whose parents have separated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6663/97]
Following my appointment as Minister for Equality and Law Reform I instituted a scheme of grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage counselling services. Grants were first paid under this scheme in 1994 when £750,000 was expended. A similar amount was expended in 1995. However, in 1996 the scheme was extended to include the provision of assistance to organisations providing counselling to children whose parents have separated. Nine hundred thousand pounds was made available in 1996 for distribution under the revised scheme, when 75 organisations were grant-aided, of which 29 provided both marriage and child counselling services, two such organisations providing child counselling services only.
Having regard to the level of commitment and generosity shown continually by the voluntary sector in coming to the assistance of those in need I consider that the financial assistance offered by my Department will act as an encouragement to that sector to provide the facilities for counselling children whose parents have separated. I believe they have the expertise necessary to provide this type of service and I assure them of my continuing support in their endeavours.
I am pleased to be in a position to inform the Deputy that my Department is currently assessing applications for grants for the current year, payment of the first instalments to be made within the next few weeks.
Does the Minister foresee a means by which he can encourage services focused specifically on child counselling, bearing in mind that the introduction of divorce has made people generally more aware of the necessity for such services, not only for those who are divorcing but for others experiencing difficulties in their marriages? Does he envisage any way in which this allocation could be increased or is he satisfied that the amount already allocated will meet the potential demand?
While fully supporting Deputy Keogh's intent I should point out that we have been doing so. Whenever I have had meetings with representatives of counselling organisations I have raised with them the provision of child counselling, which I regard as extremely important, in respect of which we have had some success, 29 organisations now providing specific child counselling. There are approximately 12 to 15 such organisations in Dublin. Deputy McDaid will be interested to learn there are two in County Donegal, one in his home town, providing specific child counselling. However, I agree it is a service that will have to be extended. I and my Department will continue to suggest to such voluntary organisations that they endeavour to expand the child counselling aspect of their activities. Our suggestions in that regard generally fall on receptive ears. Many have availed of the increased funding provided on an ongoing basis to enable them provide the necessary specialised training for counsellors. We will continue to encourage them to extend that aspect of their services further.
Is it appropriate that we should rely on voluntary organisations to provide such services? In relation to the funding of the voluntary agencies which are doing an excellent job, is it sufficient that they can budget only on a year to year basis? Surely the allocation of resources should be over a longer timescale in order that they may better plan their services?
Budgeting is done on a year on year basis and has to be done in that way. If I had any means at my disposal to guarantee even the current level, not to mention the increased levels of funding, to the counselling organisations I would be happy to do that. However, I am afraid that some future Government, of which Deputy Keogh's party may be a part, may curtail expenditure——
Use the money for the education boards.
——for such social activities as counselling and mediation in general to enable cutbacks to be made in the social area. I would be happy to do that but unfortunately budgeting is done on a year on basis. As long as I have been Minister and in the term of office of this Government, the money available for counselling has either been maintained or increased. A sum of £900,000 is available this year for the service countrywide. It is a substantial sum and good use is made of it. We maintain contact with them on an ongoing basis. The question of whether it is appropriate that the service should be provided in this way is interesting, coming from Deputy Keogh. I thought her party was not in favour of nationalisation of any kind of service. I am not sure whether she is suggesting that this service should be nationalised. So far as counselling is concerned, the voluntary organisations are doing a good job. I am grateful to them as we all should be for the contribution they make. Counsellors and administrators give of their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. It is remarkable there are so many people here who are prepared to do that. We would be in a bad way without them. They deserve every encouragement and monetary help which I and the Government are happy to provide for them.
In case the Minister is looking for funding from any sources I suggest he ask his colleague, the Minister for Education, who spent £150,000 on preparing a glossy report in the form of the White Paper on Education, some of which could have been devoted to counselling services. Small amounts of the £25 million, or perhaps £50 million which is to be spent on regional education boards, would be much better spent on services such as this. If the Minister is looking for sources of funding I have the answer for him because his colleagues in Government do not.
Deputy Keogh can be assured that any moneys spent by any Minister in the Government is well spent for a worthwhile object, as is this funding and expenditure by the Minister for Education. These payments are monitored carefully. The Government ensures that value for money is secured and the results can be seen.
The Minister for Education does not know how much it will cost.
The Deputy should look at the counselling service and legal aid service being provided and the extensions in mediation services. I have not seen a commitment from the Progressive Democrats Party that it will continue the level of funding for these widespread social services. All the indications are that it would cut them back, restrict the provision of counselling and restrict social services right across the board.
That is ridiculous.
The consequences of that would be disastrous and people ought to know that.
That is disingenuous.
