The establishment of a national mediation service is identified as a key priority in the programme for Government. Up to now the service has been concentrated in Dublin with a centre in Limerick only opening in the last two years. The benefits of family mediation have been highlighted to me by the Commission on the Family whose final report I received recently. That report endorses the greater use of mediation which allows couples whose marriage has broken down to resolve issues, including issues relating to children, in a non-adversarial and comparatively inexpensive manner.
In consequence, the budget allocation for the family mediation service for 1998 was trebled from £300,000 to £900,000, having remained static at £300,000 from 1994 to 1997. The extra provision of funds is intended to help finance the opening of new centres around the country.
No final decisions have yet been made as to the exact locations for the new centres. However, with regard to the north-west, the Deputy can be assured that due cognisance will be taken of current demand for the service, geographical and demographic considerations.
