John Bruton
Question:196 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the definition of a family which is being used as the guideline in the Government's families first policy. [16275/99]
Written Answers. - Family Income Support Programmes.
The Government is committed to protecting the family through political, economic, social and other measures which will support the stability of the family. A range of family income support programmes are provided by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. These include child benefit, widow/er's payments, payments for families who are out of work through illness or unemployment, one-parent family payment for parents rearing children alone, family income supplement and carer's allowance. These support programmes have been developed over the years to respond to the different personal circumstances which families may experience during their life cycles. The overall objective is to ensure that individuals and families, whatever their personal marital circumstances have recourse to income support for themselves and their dependants in times of need.
The policy focus in Families First is on support for parents and their children in the same inclusive way. Families First is designed to make families central to policy making and the delivery of services. The need for formal guidelines as to what constitutes a family or in relation to how a family is to be defined in the sense suggested by the Deputy's question does not arise. The promotion of continuity and stability in family life, which is particularly important for children, and support for marriage, which for the vast majority of people is their expression of commitment to continuity and stability in their relationships, are important features of Families First. The policy approach recognises that the best interests of children are the paramount concern in all circumstances and that a child's basic need for love, security and stability can be met in a variety of family situations.
The prevention of marital breakdown and policies to address the effect of divorce on families are key priorities. In line with this pro-family approach the family affairs unit has been set up in my Department and the Government has allocated £6.5 million this year specifically for the development of family services compared to only £1.5 million in 1997. This includes a radically improved £2.1 million support programme for the voluntary organisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counselling, compared to only £900,000 in 1997.
The family mediation service is now expanded nationwide with services available from eight regional centres with an allocation of £1.2 million in 1999 compared to only £300,000 in 1997 – an increase of 300 per cent.
The expansion of the family and community services resource programme includes some 50 centres this year.
As well as a families research programme, pilot projects to improve information services locally for families, and a parenting awareness programme are to be introduced later this year.