Vol. 501 No. 4
140 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the steps, if any, taken by his Department to offer a counselling service to the families of those persons reported missing; and the way in which families, if any, are receiving counselling. [6448/99]
The allocation provided to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to assist with the provision of marriage, child and bereavement counselling services is primarily intended to support voluntary organisations providing marriage counselling and child counselling services in relation to parental separation. This year the Government have provided £2.1 million for the scheme of grants. The scheme does not cover the provision of counselling to families of persons reported missing.
Last year I secured sanction to extend the scheme to include the provision of marriage preparation courses and bereavement counselling and support services on the death of a family member. A total of £230,000 was made available in 1998 to organisations providing these services. Loved Ones of Sea Tragedies, which provides support to those who have lost a family member at sea, received £3,500 under the scheme.
I will be formally launching the scheme of grants for this year on Monday next in Dublin Castle and the grants will be advertised in the national and provincial press tomorrow, 4 March 1999. Application forms and further information are available from the family affairs unit of my Department.
