Vol. 463 No. 3
150 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of any improvements in the family mediation service which have been considered; the amount of additional funding to be made available in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6299/96]
The family mediation service was established in September 1986 and operated under the auspices of the Department of Justice. In the period since 1993, when my Department took over responsibilities in relation to the service, funding of the service has more than doubled, from £134,000 in 1993 to £300,000 in 1996. Expenditure incurred by the service in 1995 was £260,000.
This increase in allocation is for the purpose of implementing a programme of expansion and development of the service. This programme comprises the employment of additional family mediators, the setting up of a second family mediation centre, at Limerick, and the use of private mediators on a contract basis to facilitate delivery of a family mediation service at other locations throughout the country. A premises has been acquired at Limerick and services are being provided there on an occasional basis pending recruitment of staff. The remaining measures will be phased in during the next 12 months.
