Michael Creed
Ceist:192 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if his Department will institute a comprehensive common policy approach to Family Mediation.
Written Answers. - Family Mediation Scheme.
Michael Creed
Ceist:193 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he will establish, within his Department, a register of qualified practitioners in Family Mediation; and if he will outline the qualifications deemed necessary for inclusion in such a register.
Michael Creed
Ceist:194 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he intends to establish the Family Mediation Service on a nationwide basis.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 193 and 194 together.
The question of developing and expanding the Family Mediation Service is being considered by my Department subject to budgetary constraints and any decisions in the matter will be announced in due course.
The number and qualifications of persons who practise as family mediators in the private sector is of interest generally, and particularly so in the context of any development and expansion of the Family Mediation Service. However, I am unable to agree that it is a function of my Department or of the Family Mediation Service to establish a national register of persons who are deemed to be qualified to practise as family mediators.