Brian O'Shea
Question:452 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the proposals she has to locate a Family Mediation Service office in Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2311/03]
Written Answers. - Family Support Services.
The Family Mediation Service has been considerably expanded in recent years. The service is now available from centres in Athlone, Castlebar, Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Tralee and Wexford. There are four centres in the Dublin region in Earlsfort Terrace – Head Office, Tallaght, Marino and Blanchardstown. Last year the Family Mediation Service assisted over 1,300 couples.
The future development of the Family Mediation Service is one of the core functions of the new Family Support Agency. The agency will also support and promote marriage and relationship counselling services, develop the local family resource centres programme, undertake research and provide information on family issues.
The Government has allocated €17.2 million for the work of the agency in 2003. This includes specific provision for the establishment of family mediation services in the south east and the north west of the country.
I intend to formally establish the Family Support Agency shortly and I expect the agency to bring forward plans as a matter of priority, for the provision of a family mediation services in these locations later this year.